Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has approved an amendment to the Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 for the Regional Water Supply System (Greater Victoria) to regulate the use of water during the summer period. The changes to Bylaw No. 4099 will come into effect May 1, 2024.

High and instantaneous demand for water at 4:00am, 5:00am, and 6:00am on residential watering days during the summer is causing unnecessary strain on the CRD’s drinking water supply infrastructure. These demands impact the drinking water system’s ability to maintain adequate flow, pressure, and highwater quality standards. To reduce peak demand during summer morning periods, the Bylaw has been amended with a new overnight lawn watering schedule for timed irrigation systems and changes to the watering day for public, institutional, and community playing fields.

• The new allowable watering time for timed/automatic irrigation is from 12:01 am to 10 am on established watering days.
• The new allowable water time for public authorities to water public, institutional, or community playing fields is any day other than Wednesday to eliminate overlap with residential lawn watering days where the largest peak demands are seen.
  

“We continue to have ample water supply to meet the needs of the communities that are supplied drinking water by the Regional Water Service”, said Regional Water Supply Commission Chair, Gord Baird. “Adding an overnight watering window under the Bylaw and encouraging landowners and

residents to switch timed irrigation systems to this new expanded window will help to better manage peak morning flows, reduce the possibility of turbidity events, and help alleviate impacts related to high demand due to heat events.”

Drinking water service in the region comes from a variety of sources: CRD-operated water systems, municipal operated systems, local Improvement Districts, and private water systems. Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 applies to those customers connected to a municipal or CRD water system serviced by the Regional Water Supply System which provides drinking water to customers across greater Victoria. 

Water conservation and demand management continue to be important components of the management of the region’s long-term drinking water supply.

To learn more about learn how to use water efficiently and wisely outdoors, visit www.crd.bc.ca/water.

The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492
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