METRO Vancouver is reminding residents of the importance of water conservation, with continued hot, dry weather forecast for the weeks and months ahead.

“We experienced record global temperatures at the start of July, which followed months of dry spells within our region,” said George V. Harvie, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, on Thursday. “Many parts of BC are experiencing drought conditions. With more hot, dry weather ahead, we must be proactive in this region with our water conservation efforts to ensure there is enough water to last until the rains return.”

Every day in May and June 2023, more drinking water was used in the region than the same period last year, and total water use in those months was 21 per cent higher than the same period in 2022.

This region relies heavily on snowpack to fill the three reservoir lakes (Seymour, Capilano, and Coquitlam). Once the reservoirs are full, that water needs to last through the high-demand season from May to October. In addition to drinking water uses, the reservoirs must also support fish populations in the rivers.

With all weather forecasts predicting prolonged dry weather with no significant precipitation for several months, water conservation should always be top of mind for the region’s residents and businesses, said Metro Vancouver.

“Our region is blessed with world-class drinking water, and it is important that we conserve water for where we need it most: cooking, cleaning, and drinking,” said Malcolm Brodie, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Water Committee. “Regional water demand typically increases by 50 per cent or more in the summer, largely due to outdoor uses — primarily lawn watering. Many people don’t realize that one hour of rain or watering per week is all you need to maintain a healthy lawn, and lawns that are not watered simply go dormant over the summer.”

Stage 1 of the seasonal lawn watering regulations is in effect from May 1 to October 15. Under Stage 1 of the Drinking Water Conservation Plan, residents and businesses are permitted to water lawns one morning per week, with designated days determined by property address and type. Trees, shrubs, and flowers may be watered daily in the morning when using a sprinkler, or any time when hand watered or using drip irrigation. Edible plants are exempt from the regulations.

Last fall, Metro Vancouver extended Stage 1 of the seasonal lawn watering regulations to October 31 due to unseasonably warm and dry conditions.

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.

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.