We do not currently have any water restrictions in place. Mill Bay Waterworks District Board of Trustees will set our water conservation restriction levels by following our MBWD Bylaw No. 276 (Water Distribution Regulation) Schedule “A” which states,
“Water Conservation Levels are determined through analysis of well levels, demand, precipitation, drought conditions, weather conditions, weather forecasts and other information deemed relevant to water supply, in order to ensure adequate water supply to district ratepayers, and to enable compliance with all water licence conditions and applicable regulations and legislation.”
Our current restriction levels are based on our ‘bylaws’ which consider our mechanical delivery system fitness, our aquifer regeneration, and our commitment to the environment. Our Trustees also factored in the potential cost of lost revenue to MBWD and those impacts to our residents.
MILL BAY WATERWORKS DISTRICT
Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw No. 276
SCHEDULE “A”
WATER CONSERVATION STAGES
The Mill Bay Waterworks District (the District) may issue a notice prohibiting, restricting or limiting the use of water. Water Conservation Levels are determined through analysis of well levels, demand, precipitation, drought conditions, weather forecasts and other information deemed relevant to water supply, in order to ensure adequate water supply to district ratepayers, and to enable compliance with all water licence conditions and applicable regulations and legislation. Due notice of restrictions shall be given either by publication in a newspaper circulating within the District, by email and or text, Canada Post, local signage or all. Any person who refuses or fails to abide by such prohibition, restriction or limitation contained in the notice shall be deemed to have contravened this bylaw.
The District is exempt from conservation levels to allow for proper operations and maintenance of the water utility system but will practice conservation measures as much as possible.
The Trustees or their designate may impose watering restrictions as set out in this Bylaw when in their opinion they consider water to be in short supply. In exercising discretion to determine which watering restrictions to impose, the Trustees shall be guided by the following:
1. Stage 1 Watering Restrictions
Stage 1 Watering Restrictions are in effect from May 1st through October 31st
a. Owners or residents of even numbered civic addresses are permitted to water only on even calendar dates between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
b. Owners or residents of odd numbered civic addresses are permitted to water only on odd calendar dates between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
c. No person is permitted to water more than 2 hours per scheduled day.
d. All automatic irrigation systems must be programmed to match Stage 1 permitted dates and times or be manually operated to comply with the bylaw.
e. Owners or residents are permitted to water newly planted lawns or landscaping between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. with permission from the Trustees, or their designate.
f. Commercial enterprises which require water to facilitate normal business activities such as power washing companies or window washing companies, are permitted unless ordered otherwise by the Trustees or their designate.
g. Hand watering of trees, shrubs, flowers, or vegetables is permitted on any day of the week between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. by use of a hose with a spring-loaded nozzle or by bucket (maximum 2 hours per day). Micro irrigation or drip irrigation systems may be utilized anytime to a maximum of 4 hours per day. This does not include soaker hoses.
2. Stage 2 Watering Restrictions
Stage 2 watering restrictions, as required:
a. Owners or residents of even numbered civic addresses are permitted to water only on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
b. Owners or residents of odd numbered civic addresses are permitted to water only on Thursdays and Sundays between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
c. No person is permitted to water more than 2 hours per scheduled day.
d. All automatic irrigation systems must be programmed to match Stage 2 permitted dates and times or be manually operated to comply with the bylaw.
e. Commercial enterprises which require water to facilitate normal business activities such as power washing companies or window washing companies, are permitted unless ordered otherwise by the Trustees or their designate.
f. Irrigation Permits will not be issued during Stage 2. Owners or residents with an Irrigation Permit issued by the Trustees or their designate prior to Stage 2 restrictions being implemented may sprinkle newly planted lawns or landscaping between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. for the duration of the permit.
g. Hand watering of trees, shrubs, flowers, or vegetables is permitted on any day of the week between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. by use of a hose with a spring-loaded nozzle or by bucket (maximum 2 hours per day). Micro irrigation or drip irrigation systems may be utilized anytime to a maximum of 4 hours per day. This does not include soaker hoses.
h. Washing driveways, houses, sidewalks, and parking lots is not permitted unless preparing surfaces for painting/preservatives or to prepare the surface for pouring of concrete or asphalt.
3. Stage 3 Watering Restrictions:
Stage 3 watering restrictions, as required:
a. No person is permitted to water lawns during Stage 3 watering restrictions.
b. No person is permitted to wash cars, boats, houses
c. Washing of driveways, houses, sidewalks, parking lots, is not permitted unless preparing surfaces for painting/preservatives or to prepare the surface for pouring concrete or asphalt.
d. Commercial enterprises which require water to facilitate normal business activities such as power washing companies or window washing companies are permitted unless ordered otherwise by the Trustees or their designate.
e. No person is permitted to fill ponds, swimming pools or hot tubs except to replace evaporated water or water lost from general use of the pond, pool or hot tub.
f. Hand watering of trees, shrubs, flowers, or vegetables is permitted on any day of the week between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. OR between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. by use of a hose with a spring-loaded nozzle or by bucket (maximum 2 hours per day). Micro irrigation or drip irrigation systems may be utilized anytime to a maximum of 4 hours per day. This does not include soaker hoses.
g. No use of fountains or ponds is permitted unless using re-circulated water.
h. Limited watering of school and community playing fields, heavy pedestrian community park areas and community landscaped planters is permitted.