As of Friday, Aug. 25, the Town of Gibsons has implemented Stage 2 water restrictions for outdoor use.
In an Aug. 22 press release, the local government asked residents, businesses and visitors to reduce their water consumption for the rest of the drought season.
The notice comes days after heat warnings, cooling centres and air quality alerts, and said outdoor water use remains high during prolonged drought.
Stage 2 prohibits washing sidewalks, driveways, windows, fences and the exterior surfaces of buildings. Hand watering is allowed at any time. For lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables, sprinklers and soaker hoses are only permitted between 7 and 9 a.m. on Thursdays and Sundays for even addresses and Wednesdays and Saturdays for odd addresses. Unestablished new lawns can be watered per existing permits, but no new permits will be issued.
Washing vehicles and boats remains OK, but only with water containers or spray-trigger nozzles. Filling pools and ponds in Gibsons is still allowed during Stage 2.
In a followup email, Town of Gibsons director of infrastructure, Trevor Rutley, clarified that, “Water consumption in June, July, and August of this year is down from both 2021 and 2022,” and that daily consumption trends as well as historical monthly consumption are posted online at gibsons.ca/water/water-use.
Rutley also explained that the Town of Gibsons is prepared to provide water to the rest of the Sunshine Coast Regional District if needed, and that the town has not been asked for water yet this year.
“While we don’t see a need to elevate restrictions in the short-term, it is difficult to predict how long the drought will extend this year. We will continue to monitor consumption and aquifer levels and may need to consider further restrictions down the road if the drought persists,” said Rutley.
Rutley also commented that the Town of Gibsons is continually monitoring aquifer levels and to date see no indications of aquifer stress.
During Stage 2, fines for infractions increase from $100 to $200. People can report concerns about water conservation or sprinkling to [email protected] or 604-886-2274.
Much of the lower Sunshine Coast started Stage 2 water restrictions (or higher) on July 7, before Chapman users began Stage 3 restrictions on Aug. 11.
Find more information at gibsons.ca/water-restrictions.
– With files from Jordan Copp
