Recent rainfall has allowed the Village of Cumberland to ease its outdoor-watering restrictions, although provincial officials say drought concerns remain across Vancouver Island.

The Village lowered its restrictions from Stage Three to Stage One last week as conditions began improving. Cumberland had briefly returned to Stage Three following declining water-storage levels during an unusually dry year marked by limited winter snowpack and lower-than-expected fall rainfall.

Under Stage One restrictions, residents may use lawn sprinklers twice a week during designated morning and evening hours.

Even-numbered addresses can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while odd-numbered properties can use sprinklers on Thursdays and Sundays. Permitted watering hours are from 4 to 10 a.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m.

All hoses must continue to be equipped with an automatic shut-off device. Residents are also asked to conserve water and prevent unnecessary runoff onto sidewalks, driveways and gutters.

Despite improving conditions in Cumberland, the Province’s final drought bulletin of 2026 places both eastern and western Vancouver Island at Level Two on its zero-to-five drought scale.

Provincial officials say smaller streams and tributaries may remain vulnerable to water scarcity, even when conditions in larger rivers appear closer to normal.

The Province will begin publishing its snowpack and water-supply bulletins in January, providing an early assessment of water availability and possible drought risks for 2027.

For more information, visit Village of Cumberland.