METRO Vancouver’s seasonal lawn watering regulations come into effect on Friday to help conserve drinking water over the summer months. The rules, which will remain in place from May 1 till October 15, are part of Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan, and have consistently proven to significantly reduce peak summer water demand.
Lawn watering is allowed up to two mornings per week, while trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered mornings only when using a sprinkler. An hour of rain or watering per week is all a lawn needs to remain healthy.
“Long range climate projections show that our region can expect increasingly hot and dry summers in the future,” said Sav Dhaliwal, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors. “Implementing good conservation habits now will help us meet the ongoing challenges of population growth and climate change, both of which put increasing pressure on our water system. We all have to do our part and conserve water whenever we can.”
Recent snowpack surveys conducted in the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam watersheds show snowpack levels 80 to 90 per cent of the historical average for this time of year, and reservoir levels are expected to reach 100 per cent capacity by mid-May.
“Although we are in relatively good shape as we head into the summer, water demand has already been slightly higher than normal so far this spring, likely due to a run of warm weather and more people spending time at home as a result of COVID-19,” said Jerry Dobrovolny, Metro Vancouver’s CAO and Commissioner. “We encourage all residents and business to respect the seasonal regulations and reduce the amount of water they use indoors and outdoors every day.”
Metro Vancouver collaboratively plans for and delivers regional drinking water services to more than 2.6 million residents and businesses using a system of watersheds, dams, treatment facilities, reservoirs, pump stations and water mains. Upgrades are constantly being made to the water system to maintain the quality and reliability of clean safe drinking water to the region.
For indoor and outdoor water conservation tips:
Stage 1: Residential Lawn Watering Allowed:
Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday mornings 4-9 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday mornings 4-9 a.m.
Watering trees, shrubs and flowers is permitted any day, from 4-9 a.m. if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
Stage 1: Non-Residential Lawn Watering Allowed:
Even-numbered addresses: Monday mornings 1-6 a.m. and Friday mornings, 4-9 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday mornings 1-6 a.am. and Friday mornings, 4-9 a.m.
Watering trees, shrubs and flowers is permitted any day, from 1-9 a.m. if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
