Dry winter 'worrisome,' officials say

Area water managers say Oceanside residents may be looking at earlier and higher water restrictions this spring.

The Vancouver Island snowpack is at about seven per cent of normal and rainfall at about 50 per cent.

Mike Squire, manager of the Arrowsmith and Englishman River water services, said Tuesday the levels are "definitely worrisome."

"The next few months will be telling," he said.

Bob Weir, engineering director for Qualicum Beach, also called the situation "worrisome," though the town will see less of an immediate effect because it gets its water from wells, rather than surface lakes and rivers. It may take several years for the effects of a dry spell to register in aquifers.

Squire said the water services identified a drying trend last fall and asked the province for a reduction in required flow releases to the Englishman River.