SEASONAL regulations that limit lawn watering for Metro Vancouver homes and businesses to once per week will come into effect on May 1, in an effort to conserve the region’s drinking water for the hot, dry months ahead.
“We are increasingly seeing variable weather patterns due to climate change, and we can’t always count on rainfall to replenish our water supply when we need it,” said George V. Harvie, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors, on Wednesday. “Last year’s dry fall resulted in an extension to lawn watering regulations and reinforced that good conservation habits by all residents and businesses are an important part of how we will continue to meet our region’s drinking water needs.”
Residents and businesses will be permitted to water lawns one morning per week during Stage 1 of the Drinking Water Conservation Plan, with designated days determined by property address and type. Trees, shrubs, and flowers may be watered in the morning when using a sprinkler, or any time when hand watered or using drip irrigation. Edible plants are exempt from the regulations. Lawn watering regulations will be in place May 1 until October 15.
If there is a need to move to Stage 2 during the summer, the public will be notified and lawn watering will not be permitted at all for residential and non-residential properties.
“Reducing lawn watering is the most effective way to lower demand for water and save treated drinking water for where it is needed most: for cooking, cleaning, and drinking,” said Malcolm Brodie, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee. “With a little preparation and care, you can still have a healthy lawn while adhering to watering regulations.”
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.
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. Member jurisdictions enforce watering restrictions through local bylaws.
Metro Vancouver’s water supply comes from rainfall and snowmelt in three mountain water supply areas that fill the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam reservoirs.
Metro Vancouver collaborates with member jurisdictions to plan for and deliver drinking water services to nearly 2.8 million residents using a system of water supply areas, dams, treatment facilities, reservoirs, pump stations, and water mains. Upgrades are regularly made to the system to maintain the regional district’s ability to reliably provide clean, safe drinking water.
Find tips and tricks for indoor and outdoor water conservation, as well as ideas for how to maintain a healthy lawn, at welovewater.ca.
