Water use in the Capital Regional District is at a 10-year low for July.

“There’s more water in the reservoir now than the old reservoir had when it was full,” said Jack Hull, general manager of CRD water services.

The CRD spent $59 million in 2007 to expand the Sooke Lake Reservoir to include land at Leech River north of Sooke.

The old reservoir held about 12 billion gallons of water, and the existing one almost doubles that at 20 billion gallons.

Hull said usage dropped seven percent below average for this time of year, but he didn’t know exactly why.

“You’re just seeing people not paying as much attention to their lawns. They’re watering their flowers and their veggie gardens and their lawns go dormant until the rains start in the fall.”

The Sooke reservoir is a little more than 70 per cent full right now, the water source for all municipalities in the capital region.

Hull said evaporation due to soaring temperatures isn’t an issue for the reservoir. The bigger concern is the risk of wildfire in the watershed due to dry conditions.

The CRD will continue to monitor that risk.

Stage one watering restrictions are still in effect. The ban comes in to play between May and September automatically every year to cut back on water usage.

Hull said water restrictions probably won’t increase to stage two or three this year.

Check the CRD website for watering details at www.crd.bc.ca/water.

Stage 1 watering restrictions:

Lawn watering allowed:

Even addresses: Wednesdays and Saturdays

4 –10 a.m. and 7–10 p.m. Odd addresses: Thursdays and Sundays

4 –10 a.m. and 7–10 p.m.

water concerns us all

Water conservation bylaw information

The Water Conservation Bylaw applies to any customer of CRD Water Services, including residents, businesses and municipalities.

•Established trees, shrubs, vegetable and flower gardens may be watered by hand using a hose with a shut-off device or hand held container, or micro/drip irrigation system, on any day at any time.

•Established trees, shrubs, vegetable and flower gardens may be watered with a sprinkler on any day, but only during the restricted watering times.

• The Water Conservation Bylaw prohibits the waste of water, caused by, but not limited to, the damage or deterioration of any water-using appliance that results in water waste, or using more water than required to provide a service or complete a task, including over watering plants, and allowing a tap or hose to run unnecessarily.

Benefits of water conservation

• Lower water and energy bills by reducing your metered usage.

•Enhanced drinking water quality by maintaining higher levels in Sooke Lake.

•Less environmental impact by deferring the need to supply water from new sources and by reducing the energy and materials required to treat and deliver water.

Top five ways to save water at home

1. Replace your old bathroom fixtures and be eligible for a $75 rebate.

2. Regularly check your home for leaks.

3. Replace your old clothes washing machine and be eligible for a $100 rebate.

4. Let your lawn go golden and be water wise outside.

5. Never run a dishwasher without a full load. Read more water saving tips.