The Government of BC has issued a Level 4 Drought for the Bessette Creek watershed under the Water Sustainability Act. The Whitevale Water Utility well is connected to Bessette Creek and outdoor watering impacts the creek levels. As a result of the provincial declaration, the RDNO is issuing Stage 3 outdoor watering restrictions for the Whitevale Water community. A map of affected properties is below.
Stage 3 Water Restrictions are as follows:
-
- Customers are only allowed to water their lawns once a week.
- Please refer to the schedule below to find your designated watering days:
Odd House Numbers: Watering Day – Saturdays
Even House Numbers: Watering Day –Sundays - And, as always, watering between 10 am and 7 pm is not allowed at any time. Irrigating in the heat of the day is ineffective due to water evaporation and is an easily avoidable form of wasting water.
- Watering by hand with a watering can or hose with a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle is permitted on any day.
- Filling swimming pools, hot tubs, garden ponds or decorative fountains is prohibited. Topping up pools is permitted once per week on Wednesdays.
- Cleaning outdoor surfaces and vehicle washing is prohibited, except for health and safety reasons.
Water Restrictions Schedule:
Manual Sprinkler Use Allowed between 6 am – 10 am and 7 pm – 12 am
Automated Sprinkler Use Allowed between 12 am – 6 am
Micro-Jet / Drip Irrigation Use Allowed up to 2 days a week between 7 pm – 10 am
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
| Even House Address | Sprinkler Use | No Sprinklers | Micro-Jet / Drip Irrigation Use | No Sprinklers | No Sprinklers | Micro-Jet / Drip Irrigation Use | No sprinklers |
| Odd House Address | No Sprinklers | No Sprinklers | Micro-Jet / Drip Irrigation Use | No Sprinklers | No Sprinklers | Micro-Jet / Drip Irrigation Use | Sprinkler Use |
Did you know that overwatering your lawn not only affects your community’s water supply, it can also harm the health of your grass. Most lawns need just 2.5cm (one inch) of water per week—about the depth of a tuna can.
An easy way to see whether you are watering an appropriate amount is to place an empty tuna can with the lid off in an area where you are irrigating. When the can is full, usually after 15 to 20 minutes, you know that your grass has gotten an adequate amount of water. Watering for more than one hour per location is strictly forbidden.
For indoor and outdoor water conservation tips, visit www.rdno.ca/waterwise.
For more information, visit www.rdno.ca/wvw/restrictions.
Subscribe to our Email Alert System
Subscribe to receive announcements, media releases, and updates by email at: www.rdno.ca/subscribe.
For further information, please call 250-550-3700 or visit www.rdno.ca.
Original notice - July 23, 2024
The Government of BC has issued a Level 3 Drought for the Bessette Creek watershed under the Water Sustainability Act. The Whitevale Water Utility well is connected to Bessette Creek and outdoor watering impacts the creek levels. As a result of the provincial declaration, the RDNO is issuing Stage 2 outdoor watering restrictions for the Whitevale Water community. A map of affected properties is below.
Stage 2 Water Restrictions are as follows:
- Customers are only allowed to water their lawns twice a week
- Please refer to the schedule below to find your designated watering days:
- Odd House Numbers: Watering Days – Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Even House Numbers: Watering Days – Wednesdays and Sundays
- And, as always, watering between 10 am and 7 pm is not allowed at any time. Irrigating in the heat of the day is ineffective due to water evaporation and is an easily avoidable form of wasting water
- Filling swimming pools, hot tubs, garden ponds or decorative fountains is permitted on your designated watering days
- Minimize car washing to conserve water during the drought. When washing your car, use a sponge and bucket instead of running water.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Even House Address | No Sprinklers | Odd House Address | Even House Address |
No sprinklers | No sprinklers | Odd House Address |
Did you know that overwatering your lawn not only affects your community’s water supply, it can also harm the health of your grass. Most lawns need just 2.5cm (one inch) of water per week—about the depth of a tuna can.
An easy way to see whether you are watering an appropriate amount is to place an empty tuna can with the lid off in an area where you are irrigating. When the can is full, usually after 15 to 20 minutes, you know that your grass has gotten an adequate amount of water. Watering for more than one hour per location is strictly forbidden.
Under Stage 2 Water Restrictions, customers are allowed to water by hand at any time with a watering can or hose with a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle.
For indoor and outdoor water conservation tips, visit www.rdno.ca/waterwise.
For more information, visit www.rdno.ca/wvw/restrictions.
Subscribe to our Email Alert System
Subscribe to receive announcements, media releases, and updates by email at: www.rdno.ca/subscribe.
For further information, please call 250-550-3700 or visit www.rdno.ca.
Click here for a larger version of the map.
