Outdoor Water Restrictions
Water Service Areas
To find which water service area your property is located in, use the Utilities Property Info Search Tool linked below.
Utilities Property Info Search Tool
Current Watering Restrictions
Watering Restriction Stages as of October 2, 2026 | Water Service Areas |
|---|---|
Check with your local water service provider for any recent updates | |
| Stage 4 | Regional District of Nanaimo (Water Service Areas):
District of Lantzville |
| Stage 3 | City of Parksville |
| Stage 2 | Regional District of Nanaimo (Water Service Areas):
North Cedar Improvement District Bowser Waterworks EPCOR French Creek |
| No Restrictions | Town of Qualicum Beach Qualicum Bay Horne Lake Waterworks |
2026 Regional Outdoor Water Conservation Framework
Water Conservation Stage | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Dates | Begins April 1 | May 1-October 31 | As required | |
| Frequency | Any day. | Every other day. Even # houses on even days, odd # house on odd days. | One day per week. Even # houses on Thursdays, odd # house on Mondays. | Sprinkling ban: lawn watering is not permitted. |
| Watering times | Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. for 2 hours max. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. for 2 hours max. | Sprinkling ban: lawn watering is not permitted. |
| Washing vehicles, boats, houses (siding) | Anytime. | Anytime on your watering day. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. on your watering day. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. once per week on your level 3 watering day. |
| Hand-watering, drip irrigation | Anytime. | Anytime. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | Between 7 - 10 a.m. or 7 - 10 p.m. |
| Filling fountains, pools, hot tubs | Anytime. | Anytime on your watering day. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | Not permitted. |
| Pressure washing walkways, driveways, siding | Anytime. | Anytime on your watering day. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | Only prior to application of paint, preservative, stucco, or sealant. |
| New lawn permits | Can apply for a permit. | Can apply for a permit. | Voluntary restrictions encouraging residents to reduce water use where they are able to. | No permits issued. |
| Vegetable gardens and fruit trees exempt from all watering restrictions, even in stage 4. | ||||
- Check with your local water supply provider on specific regulations within your service area
- For residents in Surfside and DeCourcey Water Service Areas, please see specific watering restrictions here.
- Private wells are not subject to watering restrictions, but conservation is encouraged because water is a shared resource.
- Hand watering must be done using a hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shutoff device.
- Micro-irrigation and drip-irrigation consist of water delivered to the root zone of a plant and use less than 20 gallons per hour at less than 25 PSI.
- Washing vehicles, boats, and houses (siding) must be done using a hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shutoff device.
- During Water Conservation Level 4, lawn watering is banned, even by hand-watering.
- During Level 4, flowers, shrubs, and ornamental trees can be watered by hand or drip irrigation only between 7-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m.
- Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from the Level 4 watering ban.
| Deep Bay Improvement District | 250-757-9312 |
| Bowser Waterworks District | 250-757-8363 |
| Qualicum Bay Horne Lake Waterworks District | 250-757-8507 |
| Little Qualicum Waterworks District | 250-909-3005 |
| Town of Qualicum Beach | 250-752-6921 |
| EPCOR French Creek | 250-951-2460 |
| City of Parksville | 250-248-5412 |
| District of Lantzville | 250-390-4006 |
| City of Nanaimo | 250-758-5222 |
| North Cedar Improvement District | 250-722-3711 |
| Southwest Extension Waterworks | 250-753-5449 |
RDN Water Service Areas Including:
| 250-390-6560 |