SEASONAL restrictions on lawn watering are now in effect throughout Metro Vancouver.

Residents and businesses may water their lawns a maximum of one morning per week to help conserve drinking water, with designated days based on property address and type. Restrictions will remain in place until October 15.

“The recent spring showers have helped to bolster our reservoirs, but we still have a lower than normal snowpack and every expectation of a hot and dry summer,” said George V. Harvie, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors, on Wednesday. “In 2022 Metro Vancouver planned ahead for summers like this by reducing lawn watering to one day a week. By adhering to this, residents and businesses will help our treated drinking water last longer into the summer.”

In the summer, daily water use in Metro Vancouver can increase by more than 50 per cent, largely due to lawn watering. Reducing outdoor water use saves water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, and makes it less likely that restrictions will have to be escalated.

“Our region is known for an abundance of rain water as well as our great oceans and rivers. Yet, treated drinking water becomes a finite resource in the hot, dry summers that we are more frequently experiencing,” said Malcolm Brodie, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee. “There are plenty of easy ways to conserve water, and the best is to cut back on — or cut out — lawn watering.”

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. and 9 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays — automatic watering between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 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. and 9 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays — automatic watering between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 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

Edible plants are exempt from restrictions. These restrictions do not apply to the use of rain water, grey water, any forms of recycled water, or other sources of water outside the regional and municipal drinking water supply system. Municipalities, which enforce watering restrictions through local bylaws, may have additional exceptions in place. Contact your local municipal office for more information.

Weekly water consumption and reservoir level information are published on Metro Vancouver’s website. Find full restrictions, as well as ideas for how to maintain a healthy lawn, at metrovancouver.org/lawns.