How to Deal with Water Restrictions

Last year, a number of gulf islands near our home base in Victoria ran out of water and had to get fresh water trucked in. And in many provinces across Canada affected by wildfire, water restrictions began as early as May and lasted through September.

Whether you live in British Columbia or in any of our other beautiful provinces, it’s important to know what these water restrictions mean. If you live in BC, you might find it helpful to read through our provincial bylaws on the issue, published by the CRD. And if you live in another province, you should be able to find a similar reference online.

And while summer is the time we would most associate with water restrictions and bans, they can really happen at any time! Whether it’s because of a hot, dry spell or wildfires, or whether it’s due to construction work on pipelines, or an accident, or breakage emergency—it’s best to be prepared!

If you’d like to take more control over your access to water in an emergency situation, why not get your household a 275 Gallon Super Tanker (use a water stabilizer like Aerobic Oxygen to keep it potable for up to 5 years!), or invest in a case of Blue Can Water that has a 50 Year Shelf Life, so that you can easily survive a drought—whether it’s created by nature or enforced by man.

Living in Canada, it’s so easy to take clean, fresh water for granted. But the reality is that there is a limit. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead for emergencies.

Ideally, we’re also always maintaining an awareness that water is one of earth’s precious resources—not just when it’s restricted. Below are a few ways that you can do your part to keep yourself—and us all—hydrated, clean and healthy:   

1. Adhere to your federal water restrictions and fire bans.
2. Go golden. Let your lawn succumb to nature during the hot summer months.
3. Mulch your plants in order to help keep in the moisture, restrict runoff, and allow them to survive with much less watering.
4. Think twice before washing your car or boat.
5. Don’t leave taps running.
6. Have quick showers.
7. Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they’re full.

If you have more ideas on how to conserve water, please leave a comment in the section below, or contact us directly! Let’s all practice good stewardship this summer!

Article contributed by Sophie Wooding – Avid gardener and cyclist in Victoria, BC and Content Writer for Frontier.io