You know what itB次元官网网址檚 like to be in the shower when your teenager flushes the toilet downstairs, or your partner starts washing the dishes in the kitchen B次元官网网址� water pressure can suddenly drop.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the same for the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 drinking water system.
In recent summers, the system has experienced challenges due to high, sudden demand from region-wide irrigation system programs that all start at the same time B次元官网网址� particularly at 4, 5 and 6 a.m. on residential lawn watering days.
Water demand can double with these instantaneous increases that fall on the hour water, impacting the systemB次元官网网址檚 ability to maintain adequate flow, pressure and high water quality standards.
To encourage more water to flow between 12:01 a.m. and 4 a.m., amendments to the Regional Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 B次元官网网址� in effect from May 1 to Sept. 30 each year B次元官网网址� stipulate that residential, commercial or institutional properties with timed/automatic irrigation systems can water lawns according to the following schedule:
- Odd addresses B次元官网网址� Thursday and Sunday from 12:01 to 10 a.m. and 7 t0 10 p.m.
- Even addresses B次元官网网址� Wednesday and Saturday from 12:01 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
- Public Authorities can water public, institutional or community playing fields any day except Wednesday from 1 to 10 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m
How can you help?
Start by avoiding watering at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. B次元官网网址� reprogram your irrigation system to start earlier and at a random time, not at the top of the hour, or switch to the evening watering time. If youB次元官网网址檙e having trouble changing your system, email waterwise@crd.bc.ca and they can change it for you.
Remember that trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens can be watered any day of the week, within scheduled times. Water in short bursts to let water seep into the soil, promoting strong roots, and garden with native plants B次元官网网址� once established, they require little to no watering and support biodiversity.
If possible, water these areas on non-lawn watering days to reduce the amount of water needed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Go golden! Let your lawn go golden in the summer and it will green up again with the fall rains. If you do opt for a green lawn, remember that healthy lawns only need one inch of water per week B次元官网网址� including rain.
Inside, refrain from using large amounts of water before 10 a.m., strive for five-minute showers and delay starting your dishwasher or washing machine until mid-day or evening.
Find everything you need to know to help protect our drinking water at