06/19/2026
💧Update on Stage 3 watering restrictions.
The RDNO thanks residents for their continued efforts to conserve water as we respond to ongoing drought conditions and the significant reduction in reservoir levels. As originally communicated on June 4, 2026, Stage 3 Water Restrictions are in effect to reduce overall water use by approximately 50% and ensure there is sufficient supply for essential needs throughout the summer and fall.
At that time, restrictions were intentionally set as more stringent than the current Water Use Regulation Bylaw due to the severity of conditions. Following further review and public feedback, the RDNO Board of Directors has made amendments to the Stage 3 Watering Restrictions to better align with community needs while still protecting our water supply. Key changes include:
🥕 Food Gardens & Edible Plants - Residents told us that limiting watering to two days per week made it difficult to maintain residential food gardens.
UPDATES - Food gardens and potted plants may now be watered daily, as required to maintain plant health. Watering must still be done using micro-jet, drip irrigation, or hand watering. Residents are still urged not to overwater; if your garden only needs watering every 2 days, stick to that schedule.
🏊️ Pool Maintenance - While filling or refilling pools remains prohibited under Stage 3, pool top-ups are now permitted to replace water lost to evaporation up to 1% of pool volume (or approximately 2 cm) per week. This is to ensure proper operation of pool filtration systems and maintain water quality. You can significantly reduce evaporation by lowering your pool temperature and/or using a pool cover.
These adjustments reflect feedback from residents on food security and plant health, the need to balance conservation with practical use, and alignment with the Stage 3 Watering Restriction amendments resulting from the June 17 Board of Directors meeting. All other Stage 3 restrictions remain unchanged, as communicated on June 4, 2026.
Despite these updates, water supply conditions remain serious. Snowpack and rainfall were significantly below average this year, and reservoirs are at critically low levels. Residents are urged to use only the water necessary to maintain essential plants, and reduce indoor water use as much as possible. Residents can see the updated restrictions at https://buff.ly/0gEHfHf, and also keep up to date on our Water Supply Updates at https://buff.ly/Ri9jeUd
