Vancouver Island and most of British Columbia’s South Coast are under drought advisory due to extreme heat and dry conditions.
Coastal BC has been allotted a Level 3 hydrological drought rating, which calls for “voluntary water-use reductions” from surface- and ground-water users including municipal, agricultural and industrial users.
The affected areas stretch from the Alaska border to the Lower Mainland and include the Skeena Nass and Stikine basins in the northwest, Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands.
The Province is also encouraging maximum water conservation in areas surrounding the Koksilah, Chemainus, San Juan, and Salmon Rivers as these fish bearing streams are reaching “critical environmental flow thresholds for ecosystems and fish”.
Water conservation tips
At home:
- limit outdoor watering
- do not water during the heat of the day or when it is windy
- consider planting drought-tolerant vegetation
- take shorter showers
- do not leave the tap running (i.e. while brushing teeth)
- install water-efficient showerheads, taps and toilets
On the farm:
- implement an irrigation scheduling program using real-time weather data
- schedule irrigation to match crop needs and soil storage capacity
- improve water system efficiencies and check for leaks
- focus on high-value crops and livestock
Industry:
- reduce non-essential water use
- recycle water used in industrial operations
- use water-efficient methods and equipment
