2023 GBID Watering / sprinkling restrictions:
Due to unseasonably hot weather we advise the public to be diligent in conserving water that may be needed for fire suppression.
From May 15th until October 15th the following watering restrictions will be in place.
Odd numbered houses may water their lawns/gardens on odd numbered days. Even numbered houses may water their lawns/gardens on even numbered days.
watering is allowed on those days from 5 a.m. until 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Water conservation is generally defined as: “the socially beneficial reduction of water use or water loss.
Baumann, et al. 1980
In Gillies Bay, we are surrounded by water. Our climate is temperate and we often have winters where we experience plenty of heavy rainfall. This can make it easy for us to forget that water is a costly resource that requires responsible stewardship.
According to the Ministry of Environment, “the pressure for water is rising, and water rates may not reflect the full costs for supplying water.”
Conservation measures are based on the following principles:
Principle 1: Water is a valuable resource
Principle 2: Water is a finite resource
Principle 3: Water is a renewable resource
Principle 4: Water is a shared resource
Water conservation not only ensures long term sustainability of an essential resource, but it also saves money. For every gallon of water that is wasted, the costs associated with water delivery rise due to increased pressures on disinfection (chlorine), wear and tear on the system, and staffing requirements to monitor and maintain operations.
Water wasted = money wasted
A report by Kerr Wood Leidel completed in 2018 identifies targets and opportunities for sustainable water use in the GBID service area.
Read the report: GBID Water Conservation Plan
Click on the following resources for more information about what you can do to save water:
Water Use Calculator – how much water are you really using?
Living Water Smart -Brochure from BC Provincial Government
Capital Regional District (Victoria) has many resources including Drought Tolerant Gardens
Landscape Watering Guide – although published in Arizona, this guide provides excellent information on the needs of a variety of plants.
Conservation Brochure from Land and Water BC
Water Waste – The real cost! (brochure from CRD)
BC Climate Action Toolkit has a couple of pages on water conservation
Waterbucket website has lots of news about water sustainability in BC