STARTING on May 1, seasonal regulations go into effect limiting lawn watering to one day per week for Vancouver homes and businesses.

These watering restrictions remain in place until October 15 and help conserve drinking water during our hotter, drier months. Watering outside these times could result in a $250 fine.

Even with watering restrictions, regional water use almost doubles in the summer due to lawn and garden watering. Last year, watering restrictions were enhanced across Metro Vancouver due to more unpredictable weather patterns and snow melt from climate change, and to secure ongoing supply of the region’s drinking water. Vancouver has strong outreach and enforcement programs in place to support reduced use of drinking water across the region which peaks during summer.

Lawns in Vancouver generally need only one inch of water for one hour each week, including rainfall, to stay healthy and green. Lawns can also go ‘golden’ if not watered as they enter a dormant state and return lush in the fall during rain. Residents can check their permitted watering through the Van311 app or online.

Stage 1 Residential lawn watering allowed:

• Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays — automatic watering between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays — automatic watering between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler any day between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., or any time by hand or using drip irrigation.

Stage 1 Non-residential lawn watering allowed:

• Even-numbered addresses: Mondays — automatic watering between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays — automatic watering between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler any day between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., or any time by hand or using drip irrigation.