Residents on Salt Spring Island who receive water from the North Salt Spring Waterworks District must begin following seasonal watering rules starting April 1, 2026. These Stage 1 conservation measures will be the first restrictions of the year for the district, which serves more than 5,500 year-round residents.
There are currently no water restrictions in place, following a period where rules were lifted on November 1, 2025. The district typically implements these seasonal guidelines between April 1 and November 1 each year to manage water demand as the weather turns warmer and drier.
Under the Stage 1 guidelines, residents with odd-numbered addresses may use sprinklers on odd-numbered calendar dates, while those with even-numbered addresses may use them on even-numbered dates. Sprinkling is permitted only between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., for a maximum of four hours per day. Those using micro or drip irrigation for trees, shrubs, and gardens may water on their designated odd or even days before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m., for a maximum of six hours daily.
These requirements are managed under the Water Distribution Regulation Bylaw, which was updated by the district on March 26, 2026. The utility monitors water levels in St. Mary Lake to determine if adjustments to these conservation stages are necessary as the season progresses. The district, which has been in operation since 1913, previously dealt with significant water scarcity during 2025, when a record-dry July forced the implementation of stricter Stage 3 rules by mid-summer.
