Image: File photo / Instead of implementing water restrictions on June 1 as had been done previously, the City of Chilliwack will now begin its water restriction period starting this Wednesday, May 1 as a proactive measure that better aligns with efforts to mitigate the increasing risk of drought. These water restrictions will continue until October 15.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Water restrictions in Chilliwack

More stringent water restrictions begin this week in Chilliwack

Apr 29, 2024 | 9:55 AM

CHILLIWACK — Given the past week’s rain in Chilliwack, it might seem paradoxical that more stringent water restrictions would go into effect this week as they are.

But city officials and municipal staff aren’t taking any chances as drought conditions persist across British Columbia.

Chilliwack council voted in March 2024 to approve changes to the city’s annual water conservation plan that would see restrictions moved up by an entire month to align with what’s happening throughout other regions in British Columbia.

Instead of implementing water restrictions on June 1 as had been done previously, the City of Chilliwack will now begin its water restriction period on May 1 as a proactive measure that better aligns with efforts to mitigate the increasing risk of drought. These water restrictions will continue until October 15.

According to a report from The Canadian Press published April 10, 2024, a hydrologist with British Columbia’s River Forecast Centre says the April snow survey shows the lowest snowpack on record in the province. Jonathan Boyd says the snowpack is 63 per cent of normal, which may mean an increased risk for drought this spring and summer.

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The latest monthly snow survey, which includes data from weather stations around the province, says that 95 per cent of the seasonal snowpack typically accumulates as of April. The forecast centre says dry conditions throughout March also left many northern and Interior regions “with near record low precipitation.”

The City of Chilliwack will also bring its watering restriction stages within the four-stage system, instead of a five-stage system, of Metro Vancouver, Abbotsford and Mission.

Stage 1 water restrictions, set to begin on May 1 every year, will contain actual water restriction limits. During stage 1, lawn watering will occur on specific days of the week contingent upon the address of residents.

There will be three other stages of water restrictions that the City will only move to as needed, depending on aquifer levels and provincial drought indicators.

The city may ease stage restrictions when groundwater levels in the aquifer recover 20 centimetres above a stage trigger threshold. According to a city staff report, even under increasingly adverse historical conditions, this threshold provides at least one month of lifted restrictions before there is a possibility of needing to re-trigger them in a season.

According to a news release from the City of Chilliwack dated Monday, April 29, lawn watering accounts for approximately 30 per cent of Chilliwack’s summer water consumption. In stage 1 watering restrictions, residents with even numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 5-8 a.m. or 7-10 p.m., and residents with odd addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) may water on Thursdays and Sundays, also between 5-8 a.m. or 7-10 p.m.

While conserving water this summer, Chilliwack residents are also invited to participate in the “Good as Gold” lawn contest for a chance to win prizes. To participate, residents should submit photos of their maintained, but not watered (dormant), gold lawns to waterconservation@chilliwack.com between May 1 and October 15. Additional photos of water conservation initiatives in the yard like vegetable gardens, rain barrels, or rock gardens can also be sent in for more chances to win.

 “Most lawns only need an inch of water per week, so starting summer water restrictions in May instead of June is one simple step we all can take to conserve our water supply early,” said Mayor Popove. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the gold lawns around the city as residents conserve water and participate in our Good as Gold contest this year!” 

The City offers a number of programs to support residential water conservation, including a Rain Barrel Rebate Program, a Toilet Rebate Program, and the option to purchase outdoor water conservation kits from City Hall. Residents can learn more about any of these programs by visiting chilliwack.com/water.

Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to the City’s website and social media for any changes to the water conservation stages. Photos for the Good as Gold Contest will be accepted until October 15, 2024. For full contest details and more information about summer watering restrictions, visit chilliwack.com/water.