Outdoor Water Use Tips

Water conservation is critical in the summer months in Campbell River – but has benefits year-round too. Every step to conserve water has lasting effects on the environment, the City’s infrastructure and our community’s quality of life.

Looking for ways to be water wise outdoors at your home or business?

Follow the tips below to use less water around your property and help reduce strain on the water system.

OUTDOOR WATER USE TIPS

WATER RESTRICTIONS

Follow local water restrictions: Review current water restrictions and only water during permitted windows.

LAWN CARE

Raise your lawnmower blade: Setting your lawn mower to three inches will allow the green parts of your grass to grow longer, which allows less evaporation to occur and for the lawn to hold more moisture.
Use only one inch of water per week: Grass in the Campbell River area is not capable of absorbing any more than one inch of water per week (due to the evapotranspiration rate). You can measure this by placing a rain gauge on your lawn. Call the Water Wise Hotline (250-203-2316) or email water.wise@campbellriver.ca for a free rain gauge.

Water in the morning or evening: This helps prevent loss of water due to evaporation.
Increase soil depth: Soil depth of six inches or more helps maintain healthy and strong grass. If your soil depth is less than six inches, add a good quality soil or compost in spring and fall – this will help keep grass healthy, even through drier months.
Aerate your lawn: Do this at least once a year, preferably in early summer or fall, to avoid soil compaction and make it easier for water to penetrate the soil.

GARDEN CARE

Plant drought tolerant, native plants: This minimizes the need for supplemental irrigation.

WATERING SYSTEMS

Check for leaks: Routinely check and service your irrigation system, as well as all outdoor pipes, faucets, and hoses for leaks.
Use an automatic sprinkler system with timers: This will help limit watering to optimal or permitted windows.
Check water distribution: Use sprinklers that keep water close to the ground and distribute water uniformly. Ensure water is reaching green areas, instead of sidewalks, driveways, or other non-landscaped areas.
Install a rain sensor: To ensure watering doesn’t happen while it’s raining.
Control the flow: Use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

POOLS

Use a pool cover: This will help to reduce evaporation in the pool.
Use a water-saving pool filter: Your choice of pool filter can impact water usage, which is especially important during drought conditions in summer months.

COLLECTING AND REUSING WATER

Practice grey water recycling: Collect and reuse water from activities such as dishwashing and washing foods for outdoor watering use.

Install rain barrels: Water diverted from roofs and gutters into a large storage tank or barrel, can be reused for activities like lawn or garden watering or washing vehicles. Rain barrels are available locally from most large hardware/household goods stores.

WATER-WISE HOTLINE

Call: 250-203-2316
Email: water.wise@campbellriver.ca

Hotline hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you call after hours, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you are calling to report a sprinkling violation, please provide the date and time of the violation, as well as the correct street address. Please note that only water use violations observed by City personnel may be subject to fines. Water use violations reported by members of the public may result in a Courtesy Letter being sent to the residence in question.

Lawn Watering FAQs

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Lawn Watering FAQs

Do I have to “go brown” in order to conserve water?

No, although that certainly helps. The biggest mistake that people make with their lawns is over-watering. It is possible to use a very conservative amount of water and keep lawns healthy. An established lawn will go dormant and may turn brown during hot, dry spells. A good rainfall or cooler weather will revive a lawn quickly. Watering lawns sparingly or not at all saves up to 17,000 litres per household over the summer months.
What is the main mistake people make when it comes to watering lawns?

The biggest mistake is over-watering. Carelessly set up sprinkling systems waste water by broadcasting potable water onto driveways, sidewalks, roads and other non-landscaped areas. Taking time to set up your irrigation system correctly is an important step in reducing your overall water consumption.
When can I water my lawn?

Lawn watering regulations are in effect May 1 to September 30. Water a lawn for an hour once a week during the regulations to allow for deep watering of the roots.

STAGE 1:
Residential
Even-numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 5 to 9 a.m. & 7 to 10 p.m.
Odd- numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 5 to 9 a.m. & 7 to 10 p.m.

Non-Residential
Even-numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 to 8 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1 to 8 a.m.

STAGE 2:
Residential
Even-numbered addresses: Monday 5 to 9 a.m. & 7 to 10 p.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday 5 to 9 a.m. & 7 to 10 p.m.

Non-Residential
Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday 1 to 5 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday 1 to 5 a.m.

STAGE 3:
Residential and Non-Residential: Prohibited
What is the best time to water your grass?

The best time to water grass and all plants is early in the morning so that plant matter dries out throughout the day. Wet plants and cool evening temperatures encourage mold growth.
Do water restrictions apply to soaker hoses or in-ground sprinkler systems

Yes. Any sprinkler system that is being used to irrigate a residential or commercial lawn (other than those exempted) or flower and vegetable garden is subject to these restrictions.
I just installed a new lawn. Can I water outside the watering restrictions?
The City of Campbell River’s Water Department issues temporary watering permits for newly seeded and sodded lawns. Please contact the Water Department at 250-203-2316 for more information. Permits can be requested only during Stage 1 watering restrictions. No exemption permits will be issued during Stage 2 or 3; however, any permits issued under Stage 1 will remain valid.
- For recently seeded properties, your permit can be used for a period of 45 days, on any day between the hours of 5 to 9 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
- For recently sodded properties, your permit can be used for a period of 21 days, on any day between the hours of 5 to 9 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
What is the easiest, most practical way to keep my lawn green without wasting water?

In hot weather, raising the lawn mower blade an extra quarter of an inch will do wonders for keeping your grass green. Most lawn mower blades only go up to three inches, so raise it to the highest setting. Some specialty mower blades can go as high as six inches. The longer you leave your grass, the longer the roots will grow. Deeper roots allow for better moisture retention, and a hardier lawn. Longer grass helps shade the soil, which prevents it from drying out, and also prevents weeds from germinating.
What are some water-wise tips for the lawn?
- Use slow release or natural fertilizers for long-lasting benefits
- A healthy, vigorous lawn crowds out weeds and reduces pest damage
- Consider natural alternatives to pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.
- An hour a week of watering or rain is all you need for a healthy lawn with a strong root system
Once an automatic system has been installed, what's next?

Have someone come to your home every spring to test the irrigation system. Check for plugged nozzles, and ensure that there are no broken lines (due to freezing) and that nozzle heads are still pointing where they should. Also, check the system once per month during summer.
Are there water exemptions, such as for nurseries?

Watering regulations are meant to reduce water use in ways that do not cause serious economic hardship. Those users requiring water as part of a commercial operation are also expected to conserve water. Under Stage 3, all forms of watering are prohibited, with the exception of watering that would affect businesses. Playing fields, nurseries, and commercial greenhouses are granted exemptions to the sprinkling restrictions in Stage 3.

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