News & Media

Town moving to Stage 3 water restrictions

Ladysmith, BC — Stage 3 water restrictions will take effect on August 5, 2025, for the Town of Ladysmith, Stz’uminus First Nation, and the Diamond Improvement District.

Under Stage 3, lawn watering is prohibited by any method, including conventional irrigation systems, sprinklers, or hand watering. Gardens, trees, and bushes can be hand-watered, but only before 9:00 am or after 7:00 pm. Residents are also not permitted to fill pools or hot tubs.

"We understand the impact this decision has on residents, but our priority is conserving the Town's water supply. Implementing water restrictions that reduce residential water use helps conserve Ladysmith’s water supply and ensures there's enough available in case of a dry fall season with below-average precipitation," says Mayor Deena Beeston.

The move to Stage 3 is due to elevated drought concerns in Ladysmith. Water levels at Holland Lake—Ladysmith’s primary water source—are at their lowest levels for this time of year in six years and continue to decline.

"Typically, Holland Lake’s reservoir levels don’t start to climb until mid-October, which is more than 2 months away. Additionally, the ground in our watershed is extremely dry and will soak up multiple rainfalls before any water reaches the reservoir. That’s why it’s important to start conserving water now, while we still have the chance to make a real impact," says Tim Tanton, the Town's Director of Infrastructure Services.

Residents are required to follow the Town’s water restrictions, which are designed to manage water use during hot, dry weather. Anyone who ignores the water restrictions are in violation of Water Bylaw #1298 and could face fines of up to $2,000 per day.

For a complete list of what is and isn’t permitted under Stage 3, please visit https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/water/restrictions.

For the latest news and updates, visit the Town’s website at www.ladysmith.ca, as well as Facebook and Instagram.

The Town of Ladysmith respectfully acknowledges that we gather and work on the unceded territory of the Stz'uminus First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

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Media Contact
Nicholas Pescod
Communications & Engagement Specialist
npescod@ladysmith.ca
250-268-0606