No notices at this time.
No notices at this time.
While the CVRD and member municipalities have co-ordinated water use restrictions across the region, some Improvement Districts and private water systems may choose to apply different restrictions. In some instances, the characteristics of certain water sources may require certain water systems or jurisdictions to move to a higher stage of water use restrictions earlier than neighbouring communities.
Use the map or tables below to see which water system serves your property and what your current water use restrictions are.
Watering restrictions were updated in 2022. The new regulations apply to the Municipality of North Cowichan, City of Duncan, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Tribes, Town of Lake Cowichan, Town of Ladysmith, Diamond Improvement District, Stz’uminus First Nation, Mill Bay Water District, and Cowichan Bay Waterworks.
Sprinkling and hand-watering is NOT permitted between 9:00am and 7:00pm. See the table below for water days and other restrictions.
Please check the local newspaper or each water provider’s website during the summer months to see if Stage 2, Stage 3 or Stage 4 restrictions are in effect.
USAGE AREA | STAGE 1
May 1 to Oct. 31 |
STAGE 2
Provincial Drought |
STAGE 3
Provincial Drought |
STAGE 4
As Required1 |
USAGE AREA | STAGE 1
May 1 to Oct. 31 |
STAGE 2
Provincial Drought |
STAGE 3
Provincial Drought |
STAGE 4
As Required1 |
Conventional irrigation systems and sprinklers | ||||
Lawns, Vegetable Gardens, Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Flower Gardens | 2 hours/day
Even Addresses: |
2 hours/day
Even Addresses: |
X Not permitted | X Not permitted |
New Lawns2 | 2 hours/day
Any Day. Require Garden Irrigation Permit |
1 hour/day
Any Day. Require Garden Irrigation Permit. (Permits must be Obtained Prior to Stage 2) |
1 hour/day
Any Day. Require |
X Not permitted |
Hand Watering, Micro / Drip Irrigation3 | ||||
Vegetable Gardens, Fruit Trees | 4 hours /day | 4 hours /day | 2 hours/day | 2 hours/day |
Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Flower Gardens | 2 hours /day | 2 hours /day | 1 hour/day | 1 hour/day |
Lawns | 2 hours /day | 1 hour/day | X Not permitted | X Not permitted |
New Lawns2 | 2 hours /day | 2 hours/day | 1 hour/day
Require Garden Irrigation Permit. (Permits must be Obtained Prior to Stage 2) |
X Not permitted |
Other Outdoor Water Use | ||||
Filling Pools and Hot Tubs | No restrictions | No restrictions | X Not permitted4 | X Not permitted4 |
Washing Vehicles or Boats | No restrictions | No restrictions | X Not permitted4 | X Not permitted4 |
Washing Driveways, Houses and Sidewalks | No restrictions | Permitted Under Certain Circumstances5 | Permitted Under Certain Circumstances5 | X Not permitted4 |
Sport Fields6 | Reduced Watering | Reduced Watering, Conservation Measures | Reduced or Eliminated Watering | Reduced or Eliminated Watering |
Private Wells, Agriculture7 | Regulated by Provincial Government (Not Supplied from Community Potable Water Systems) |
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Issued for a limited time period, Garden Irrigation Permits will permit owners or residents to water newly planted lawns or large scale landscaping daily following the current water use restrictions table. No lawn watering is permitted under Stage 4.
Applications may be obtained by clicking on the following link: Garden Irrigation Permit Application. |
Please forward the completed application by email to the Utilities Division at utilities@cvrd.bc.ca, or drop off in person at the CVRD office located at 175 Ingram Street. Once your application has been reviewed, we will contact you for payment of the $25 permit fee and issuance of the permit.
Garden Irrigation Permits will only be issued if more than 50% of the lawn is being planted. Garden Irrigation Permits will not be issued during Stage 2, 3 and 4 Water Use Restrictions. This is to encourage residents to plant new lawns in the spring when water is more plentiful. |
The CVRD operates 20 water systems throughout the region. For specific information about any particular water system, please contact CVRD Utility Services at 250.746.2530 or Email
System | Location | Water Restrictions |
Arbutus Mountain Estates | Area B – Shawnigan Lake | No restrictions |
Arbutus Ridge | Area C – Cobble Hill | No restrictions |
Bald Mountain | Area I – Youbou / Meade Creek | No restrictions |
Burnum Water System | Area B – Shawnigan Lake | No restrictions |
Carlton Water System | Area B – Shawnigan Lake | No restrictions |
Cherry Point Estates | Area D – Cowichan Bay | No restrictions |
Dogwood Ridge | Area E – Cowichan Station / Sahtlam / Glenora | No restrictions |
Douglas Hill | Areas C – Cobble Hill & D – Cowichan Bay | No restrictions |
Fern Ridge | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | No restrictions |
Honeymoon Bay | Area F – Cowichan Lake South / Skutz Falls | No restrictions |
Kerry Village | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | No restrictions |
Lambourn Estates | Area D – Cowichan Bay | No restrictions |
Malahat Forest Estates | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | No restrictions |
Mesachie Lake | Area F – Cowichan Lake South / Skutz Falls | No restrictions |
Saltair | Area G – Saltair / Gulf Islands | No restrictions |
Satellite Park | Area C – Cobble Hill | No restrictions |
Shawnigan Lake North | Area B – Shawnigan Lake | No restrictions |
Shell Beach | Area H – North Oyster / Diamond | No restrictions |
Shellwood | Area H – North Oyster / Diamond | No restrictions |
Woodley Range | Area H – North Oyster / Diamond | Permanent Stage 3 |
Youbou | Area I – Youbou / Meade Creek | No restrictions |
Each municipality within the CVRD operates their own water system(s). For specific information about any particular water system, please contact the municipality directly.
System | Location | Water Restrictions |
Chemainus Water System | Chemainus (North Cowichan) | No restrictions |
Crofton Water System | Crofton (North Cowichan) | No restrictions |
Duncan Water System | City of Duncan; Cowichan Tribes; Eagle Heights (CVRD Area E) | No restrictions |
Ladysmith Water System | Town of Ladysmith; Stz’uminus First Nations | No restrictions |
Lake Cowichan Water System | Town of Lake Cowichan | No restrictions |
South End Water System | South End, Maple Bay (North Cowichan) | No restrictions |
There are 10 water systems operated by Improvement Districts in the Cowichan Region. For specific information about any particular water system, please contact the improvement district directly. Since these systems are not operated by the CVRD, the number of connections shown is approximate and represents the number of lots within the water service area. The actual number of properties served by the water system may be different than what is shown.
System | Location | Water Restrictions |
Braithwaite Estates Improvement District | Area C – Cobble Hill | Contact Improvement District |
Cobble Hill Improvement District | Area C – Cobble Hill | Contact Improvement District |
Cowichan Bay Waterworks District | Area D – Cowichan Bay | No restrictions |
Diamond Improvement District | Area H – North Oyster / Diamond | No restrictions |
Meredith Road Improvement District | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | Contact Improvement District |
Mill Bay Waterworks | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | Contact Improvement District |
Oceanview Improvement District | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | Contact Improvement District |
Sunset Improvement District | Area I – Youbou / Meade Creek | Contact Improvement District |
Sylvania Improvement District | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | Contact Improvement District |
Wace Creek | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat | Contact Improvement District |
There are 9 privately-operated water systems within the Cowichan Region. For specific information about any particular water system, please contact the water system operator directly. Since these systems are not operated by the CVRD, the number of connections shown is approximate and represents the number of lots within the water service area. The actual number of properties served by the water system may be different than what is shown.
System | Location |
Garnett Creek Water Users | Area C – Cobble Hill |
Kilmalu Developments | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat |
Knute Johnson | Area A – Mill Bay / Malahat |
Shawnigan Village Waterworks | Area B – Shawnigan Lake |
Millar’s Water Supply | Area C – Cobble Hill |
Norseman Development Ltd. | Area F – Cowichan Lake South / Skutz Falls |
Smith Waterworks | Area I – Youbou / Meade Creek |
Vanland Developments | Area C – Cobble Hill |