Vancouver Islanders and Gulf Islanders are being urged to find ways to conserve water. Dropping water levels have prompted the Province to announce a Level 3 drought rating for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
A level 3 rating calls for voluntary water-use reductions of 30% from all surface water and groundwater users, including residents, industry, farmers and municipalities.
While some streams on Vancouver Island, especially those backed by storage reservoirs, have adequate flows, a number of important salmon streams are nearing critical thresholds that threaten fish populations. The Koksilah River, in particular, is experiencing extremely low flows.
The ministry suggests limiting outdoor watering, taking shorter showers, not leaving taps running -- and that farmers focus on high value crops and liv estock for water use..
If voluntary reductions prove insufficient the ministry may consider regulating water usage under the Water Sustainability Act.