The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) would like to inform residents connected to the Comox Valley water system that stage three water restrictions will come into effect from Thursday, June 12th at 8 a.m. until Tuesday, June 17th at 4:30 p.m. to allow for BC Hydro’s hydroelectric facility maintenance and fish screen cleaning.
The fish screens positioned in the BC Hydro penstock at the Puntledge River diversion dam require periodic maintenance to keep them clean in efficiently screening chinook and coho salmon that may enter the intake back into the Puntledge River.
This dam is where the water is diverted from the river, about 3.7 kilometres downstream of the Comox dam, into a pipeline that travels five kilometres to the generating station and back into the river.
Typically, this maintenance is performed bi-annually but may need three cleanings per year depending on algae and grass debris buildup. The screens do auto-clean regularly but comprehensive cleanings are required.
While BC Hydro is conducting the fish screen cleaning and general facility maintenance, the CVRD will be supplying water to consumers via the Puntledge pump station. To maintain enough water in the system during this time for household and fire-fighting needs residents are asked to use water only when completely necessary.
During stage three the following activities are prohibited:
- Watering lawns (with manual or automatic sprinklers) or pressure washing driveways or boulevards at any time
- Filling or adding water to a hot tub or garden pond at any time
- Washing a vehicle or a boat at any time
Who this applies to:
- This stage three water restriction applies to everyone living in the Town of Comox, the City of Courtenay and the Arden, Comox Valley, England Road, Marsden/Camco, and Greaves Crescent water local service areas. All of these areas are served by the Comox Valley water system.
Engine Noise near the Puntledge River:
Residents living near the pump station can expect some noise from the engines while water is being pumped from the river. We apologize to residents who may be affected.
To keep up-to-date with the latest water restrictions, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area.
The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
-Contributed by Comox Valley Regional District
