Concerns about water supply security, drought and water scarcity remain an issue for most of the southern half of British Columbia even as cooler temperatures and rain have arrived.

Drought is affecting much of Vancouver Island and southern British Columbia, due to low spring rainfall amounts, as well as the recent extreme heat wave and record high temperatures in June and early July across the entire region.

Drought is affecting much of British Columbia, including many parts of the southern and central interior.

Drought is affecting most of southern British Columbia and the central Interior due to very low rainfall, exacerbated by the recent extreme heat wave.

Extremely warm and dry conditions have prompted the Province to set a Level 3 drought rating for the Peace, Upper Fraser East and Upper Fraser West areas.

With streams and rivers in the Middle Fraser, Similkameen, Coldwater, Nicola and Kettle watersheds experiencing very low flows, and weather conditions expected to remain dry, residents of the Cariboo and Thompson-Okanagan regions are urged to reduce their water consumption.

With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, water users in the South Coast and Lower Fraser regions are being urged to reduce water consumption.