In a week when Courtenay council continued to try to find an explanation for Tsolum River flooding, we ironically learned about a water shortage starting April 6.It’s not that the supply for much of the Comox Valley has shrunk, only that the amount of water many of us can use for eight days will be sharply restricted.Stage Three water restrictions are in effect from April 6 at 8 a.m. to April 14 at 4:30 p.m. because BC Hydro is doing its annual spring maintenance on its Puntledge River power-generating station.Since this means that less water will be available, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) has imposed serious limitations on water usage for anybody in the Town of Comox, the City of Courtenay and the Arden, Comox Valley, England Road, Marsden/Camco, and Greaves Crescent local water service areas.The reason the Record is dealing with this issue as an editorial is that some people will be tempted to ignore the restrictions.Some might legitimately not be aware of them, although the CVRD has done a good job — with the help of the local media — of getting the word out.Other people might listen to an inner voice that assures them they’re using only a little bit of water they’re not supposed to, that one person or household cannot make that much of a difference.The seductive part of this reasoning is that it’s true. The problem is that if enough people adopt this self-centred outlook, it could compromise the supply and result in shortages of water for household needs.Worse, it could conceivably contribute to a shortage of water to fight fires.Granted, it’s too early for the forest fire season, but structure fires can happen any time. Ignoring water restrictions could lead to tragedy, possibly for somebody you know, potentially even yourself.The bottom line – please obey the water restrictions in place for the next eight days. Details are available at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/restrictions.editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com