Water Conservation - Bowen Island Municipality

Water Conservation Guidelines recommended May 1 – October 15

Water Conservation Guidelines are recommended for all Municipal water systems. Please see below for the Stage recommended for each water system.

Bowen Island Moving to Stage 2 Water Conservation Guidelines on June 1, 2025.

May 29, 2025 – As our climate changes, Bowen Island is experiencing longer, hotter, and drier summers. In response to these conditions and the threat of drought, Bowen Island Municipality is implementing Stage 2 Water Conservation Guidelines, effective June 1, 2025, for all municipal water systems, island-wide, unless they are already on a higher state of restriction. Residents on private water systems, wells, and streams are also highly encouraged to adhere to the guidelines because regardless of where our water comes from, on Bowen we all have a responsibility to protect the island’s water resources.

The Province of British Columbia is warning of potential drought conditions this spring and summer. The April 1, 2025, snow survey shows the provincial snowpack at just 79 percent of normal. Although this is a slight improvement over last year, it remains well below average. Low snowpack is a key indicator of reduced precipitation, and with Environment Canada forecasting a hotter, drier summer, it is crucial for communities to begin conserving water now.

Stage 2 Water Conservation focuses primarily on reducing outdoor water use, particularly lawn watering, which is one of the largest contributors to summer water demand.

What this means for you:

Lawn watering using municipal drinking (treated) water is prohibited until the current Water Conservation Guideline drops below Stage 2.
The use of rainwater, grey water, or other recycled water sources to water lawns is still permitted and encouraged. Watering from private well or streams is also permitted where applicable.
Flower and vegetable gardens may still be watered with sprinklers between 5:00 am and 9:00 am. Hand watering, soaker hose, or drip irrigation is still allowed at any time.

Using drinking water for lawn irrigation during a time of potential drought puts unnecessary strain on our limited supply, which should be prioritized for essential needs like drinking, cooking, and sanitation. Prioritizing essential uses and taking conservation steps early helps ensure that everyone in our community has access to safe, reliable water and reduces the likelihood of more severe restrictions later in the season.

Additional ways to conserve water:

Regularly inspect your irrigation system for leaks or malfunctions.
Use spring-loaded shut-off nozzles and never leave hoses running unattended.
Monitor for leaks on your property by turning off all water and checking whether the meter is still moving. If it is, you may have a leak.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to water conservation as we navigate the challenges of a changing climate together.

Questions? Check out our FAQ Page or contact Public Works on 604-947-4255 ext. 4 or publicworks@bimbc.ca.

Current Water Conservation Guideline Levels

Stage 1: None at this time.

Stage 2: Bluewater Park, Bowen Bay, Cove Bay, Eagle Cliff, Hood Point, King Edward Bay, Tunstall Bay.

Stage 3: None at this time.

Stage 4: None at this time.

Bowen Island Municipality’s Water Conservation Guidelines are based on the Metro Vancouver Drinking Water Conservation plan in order to encourage water conservation and promote awareness.

The guidelines define four levels of water conservation for users of Municipal drinking water systems. Stage 1 is recommended by default between May 1 and October 15.

These guidelines are intended to manage demand for drinking water during the summer months, and if necessary during times of emergencies. This is important because:

rainfall is lower and demand is higher in the summer
climate change is affecting rainfall frequency and intensity
storage capacity is limited
water shortages may result from unforeseen emergency situations such as earthquakes

The guidelines are voluntary, and we encourage water users on the island to support the conservation of our drinking water by following them. Private well users will also benefit from these guidelines.

The recommended water conservation stage is posted and updated regularly on the Municipality’s Alerts and Advisories webpage. We may occasionally recommend increased stages of water conservation in specific water systems depending on the source and storage levels for that system.

Creative water conservation methods for all Bowen Island Municipal water systems

Bowen Island’s water comes from rainfall collected in the aquifers and water sheds. We do not have a unlimited amount of water. Please read the following water conservation methods for all Municipal Water Systems. By helping conserve water, we can all minimize the impact on our environment and make our water systems more sustainable.

Turn off the water when shaving, brushing teeth, and washing dishes. This can save 10 to 40 litres/day.
Check for leaky toilets and replace older bathroom faucet nozzles.
Install low flow toilets – they can save 6 to 14 litres per flush while low flow showerheads can save 8 litres/minute.
Wash produce in a pan half-filled with water instead of using a strainer. Use this water for household plants.
Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when you have a full load.

Use a broom instead of a hose to clean the driveway and sidewalk. A hose uses 23 litres/minute.
Use a bucket of soapy water to wash your car and use the hose only for rinsing.
Wash your car using soap and water from a bucket. The hose uses 23 litres/minute, but using a bucket saves you at least 2 minutes’ worth of water (46 litres).
Water the garden during early morning or evening hours when temperatures are cooler to avoid evaporation.
Grow the grass at least 2 to 3 inches. Taller grass shades new growth and reduces evaporation.
An hour of sprinkling uses about 1300 litres of water.
Use a Rain Barrel to collect free water from your roof for your garden.

When you’re craving a cool glass of water, don’t run the faucet until the water gets cold. Try keeping a jug of water in the fridge. This way you can have a cold glass of water whenever you like!
Remove weeds in your lawn and garden. This reduces competition for water while making the rest of the yard look great!
Plant a water wise garden, which contains plants that need little water and can cope with long dry spells. Placing mulch in your garden is also a good way to conserve water. It reduces erosion and discourages weeds. Spread grass clippings or other mulch materials around the base of plants and shrubs.
Reduce your shower by 5 minutes. This can save up to 100 litres of water.

You can take steps to protect your water supply and to deal with a dry well. Below are some suggestions for private well-users to avoid unpleasant surprises and have peace of mind:

Check your water level, if you haven’t already
Consider speaking to a qualified local water technician about installing a well depth monitor to notify you when your well reaches a lower-than-normal level
Work with one of the local water companies or a group of neighbours to coordinate tanker truck deliveries or create communal pump and storage systems
Consider purchasing a storage tank that will work in coordination with the natural recharge capacity of your well and will help to protect you from sudden water outages
Remember that water quality and characteristics can be affected when the water table changes drastically, this may be a first indicator that water levels are low
Talk to neighbours, especially if you are on a shared well or a shared aquifer, to agree on water conservation strategies and share updates on the level of the well
Learn more tips about being “Wellsmart” at WellSmart or look in the Bowen Phone Book under “Water Systems”

Read some more suggestions for conserving water here.

Drought Conditions

Drought is a recurrent feature of climate involving a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time, resulting in a water shortage. For the latest information, see the Drought Information Portal.

Drought classifications are shown in the chart below. Read more about our current drought information.

Waterscape Bowen Island project

“Waterscape Bowen Island” project is an exploration of the story of water on Bowen Island.