PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – August 27, 2025 - After weeks of uncertainty caused by the Mount Underwood wildfire, the City of Port Alberni is lowering water restrictions to Stage 1, effective immediately.
With the wildfire now being held and the threat it posed to the City’s water infrastructure reduced, staff have determined it is safe to ease restrictions. This decision reflects improved conditions and the City’s commitment to balancing water conservation with community needs.
Starting today, August 27, 2025, under Stage 1 Water Restrictions:
• Odd-numbered addresses may water on odd-numbered calendar days, and even-numbered addresses may water on even-numbered days, between 6–9 a.m. and 6–9 p.m.
• Residents can continue watering their vegetable/food gardens using drip/micro irrigation or hand watering (spring-loaded nozzle or watering pail/bucket) any day to a maximum of two hours.
• Vehicle and outdoor surface washing is permitted any day, provided a spring-loaded nozzle or watering pail/bucket is used.
• Filling pools, hot tubs, ponds, or fountains is permitted.
“On behalf of City Council, I want to thank our residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation during this challenging time,” said Mayor Sharie Minions. “Your efforts in conserving water helped protect our essential supply and ensured we were prepared should the situation have worsened.”
As a bonus, easing restrictions now allows the City to reactivate spray parks, giving families a chance to beat the heat and enjoy any of our four spray park facilities—Blair Park, Roger Creek Park, Williamson Park, and Kiwanis 16th Avenue Park—as summer winds down.
City staff will continue to monitor conditions closely and provide updates should restrictions need to be adjusted again.
For more information on Stage 1 Water Restrictions, including permitted and prohibited activities, please visit: Water Restrictions | City of Port Alberni.
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CONTACT US
Communications, City of Port Alberni
E: communications@portalberni.ca