X
Board & Meetings
Agendas & MinutesAppear as a DelegationBylawsRegional BoardUpcoming Board and Committee Meetings
Online Services
A to Z DirectoryCurbside Collection SchedulesElectronic Billing and Payment InformationMappingRecycle - What Goes Where?Utilities Property Info Search Tool
Popular Links
2018 General Local ElectionsBylaw Violation ReportingEmergency ServicesEmploymentGrantsRebatesRoad Maintenance / Snow PlowingTransit SchedulesWater Restrictions
Recreation
Active Living GuideAdmission RatesCamp in the RDNOceanside Place ArenaOnline RegistrationRavensong Aquatic CentreRDN YouthUpcoming Recreation Events

Outdoor Water Conservation

Be WaterSmart Outdoors

Residents know that most of our precipitation occurs during winter months. Records with Environment Canada indicate that, on average, our area receives only about 100 mm of precipitation during June, July and August combined. (This is less precipitation than areas of the Okanagan Valley during the same time period!) Summer is also the time when demand for water resources is highest. Consumption can increase by more than 50 % over winter use. Most of this is used to 'inefficiently' water lawns and gardens.

How Can I Reduce Outdoor Consumption?

WaterSmart Tips!

Rainwater Collection

  • Collect rainwater in a barrel, cistern or water-features to save for use in drier conditions. [ Click Here ]
  • Rainwater is at a more ambient temperature for your plants & it's free!
  • Check out the local Shaw TV segment [ Click Here ]
  • For a step-by-step video on how to build a rain barrel [ Click Here ]
Lawns
  • Aerate your lawn & top-dress with compost to improve water penetration and retention. [ Click Here ]
  • Deep but infrequent watering maintains a healthy root system.
  • Inspect your system frequently to make sure there are no leaks.
  • Let your lawn go 'dormant' or golden is the summertime. It will go green again with the Fall rains.
  • Reduce your turf area if you can - consider planting native species to 're-wild' your landscape.
Trees, Shrubs, And Plants
  • To reduce losses due to evaporation, water early in the morning.
  • Consider installing water efficient irrigation such as bubbler or drip systems that deliver water right at the base of the plant.
  • Mulch around plants with straw, leaves, or live groundcover to conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperature.
  • Increase water retention of your soil by adding compost - this will improve soil structure and support healthy microbes.
  • Prevent flower pots & hanging baskets from drying out by adding a perforated plastic liner.
Vegetable Gardens

Maintaining a vegetable garden through a drought can be a challenge. The principles of xeriscape can lend themselves very well to growing vegetables during periods of limited water supply. Here are a couple more tips:

  • Excessive watering leaches nutrients out of the soil, encourages diseases and reduces flavor; consider a drip irrigation system.
  • When planting water loving plants such as tomatoes, line the soil with a thick layer of newspaper to maximize water retention.
  • Practice companion planting by placing plants with similar water requirements close together.

What about Residential Irrigation Systems?

Up to 65 % of water used to irrigate our lawns and gardens is lost to inefficient watering practices which result in runoff, evaporation, or leaks.

Information about regularly maintaining your irrigation system can be found in our brochure Top 10 Irrigation Tips. [ Click Here ]

Other Resources for Residential Irrigation Systems

Irrigation Industry of British Columbia - An excellent resource for irrigation system installation, maintenance and more.

Capital Regional District - Waterwise Irrigation

Xeriscape Gardening

Xeriscape gardening is a systematic concept of saving water in landscaped areas - this means using fewer resources while still having a beautiful landscape. Practicing xeriscape can reduce water use by 70% or more. You can visit the RDN's Xeriscape Garden at 846 Yambury Road, Qualicum Beach.

The Seven Principles of Xeriscape are:
  1. Plan and Design… for water conservation and beauty from the start.
  2. Create Practical Turf Areas… of manageable sizes, shapes, and appropriate grasses.
  3. Use Appropriate Plants... native plants and those with low water needs will allow maximum water conservation.
  4. Soil Improvement… your landscape will benefit from the addition of sphagnum peat moss, compost, aged manure, or other decomposed organic materials.
  5. Use of Mulches… these cool soil, minimize evaporation, reduce weed growth, slow erosion, and provide landscape interest.
  6. Water Wisely… consider the efficiency of your system, when you water, and how frequently.
  7. Good Maintenance… keeping your watering system free of leaks, mowing, weeding, pruning, and fertilizing on a regular basis.
RDN Xeriscape Garden
Located at: 846 Yambury Road, Qualicum Beach
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3

General Outdoor Conservation Tips

  • Wash your car using a bucket of water, sponge, and a hose fit with a shutoff nozzle.
  • Use a broom instead of water to remove debris from paved surfaces.
  • Cover swimming pools when they are not in use to reduce evaporation, consider a water-saving pool filter.

Useful Links