As of May 1, Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect for the Metro Vancouver region, which means all residential and non-residential lawn watering is banned. With hot and dry weather in the long-range forecast, we need to make sure we use treated water where we need it most — drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Stage 2 water restrictions in effect May 1
Residential
Lawns
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Existing lawns – no watering
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New lawns, lawns treated for chafer beetle – no new permits issued or renewed
Trees, shrubs, flowers
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Water by hand: any day, any time with a soaker hose, water container, drip irrigation, or hose with spring-loaded nozzle
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By sprinkler: any day 5:00 am to 9:00 am
Vegetable gardens
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Can be watered at any time
Decorative water features (fountains, ponds)
Vehicles and boats
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At home – washing allowed with spring-loaded hose nozzle
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Commercial car washes – allowed
Surfaces
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Personal pressure washer and garden hoses – washing for health or safety
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Personal pressure washer and garden hoses – no aesthetic cleaning
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Hired commercial cleaner – all types of cleaning activities are allowed
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Personal – no impact
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Public – remain open
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Spray parks – user-activated spray parks remain open
Non-residential
Lawns
-
Existing lawns – no watering
-
New lawns, lawns treated for chafer beetle – no new permits issued or renewed
Trees, shrubs, flowers
-
Water by hand: any day, any time with a soaker hose, water container, drip irrigation, or hose with spring-loaded nozzle
-
By sprinkler: any day 4:00 am to 9:00 am
Golf courses
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Water fairways anytime on any one day in a 7-day period except if operating under an approved member jurisdiction water management plan
Decorative water features (fountains, ponds)
Vehicles and boats
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Washing allowed
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Commercial car washes – no impact
Surfaces
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Aesthetic cleaning by a commercial cleaner only
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Cleaning for health or safety reasons, preparing a surface for painting or similar treatment
See the full
water restrictions for Stage 2. These restrictions do not apply to the use of rainwater, gray water, any forms of recycled water, or other sources of water outside the GVWD/municipal water supply system.
Temporary restrictions for summer 2026
Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect across the Metro Vancouver region beginning May 1. Stage 3 water restrictions are expected to begin in early June. Stage 3 includes stronger limits on outdoor water use during the summer, when water demand is usually highest.
These temporary restrictions are being introduced because several factors are creating added pressure on the regional water system, including dry conditions, low snowpack, and forecasts for a dry summer. One of two main crossings that carries drinking water from the North Shore mountains into the regional water system is also temporarily offline while Metro Vancouver builds new infrastructure for the
Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel. While this crossing is offline, the system has less flexibility during periods of very high water use.
Reducing outdoor water use now will help protect the reliable delivery of high-quality drinking water for essential household, business, firefighting, and emergency needs.
Metro Vancouver will continue to monitor weather, reservoir levels, regional water demand, system performance, and progress on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel work. Updates will be posted on this page as conditions change.
About regional drinking water conservation
Metro Vancouver stores, treats, and delivers drinking water through its member jurisdictions to more than 3 million people in the region. Water conservation is a major part of Metro Vancouver's planning to support the sustainable use of water resources.
Helping residents, businesses, schools, and member jurisdictions use only the water they need helps support an efficient and relatively cost-effective water system. Find out more about Metro Vancouver's
Drinking Water Conservation Plan.
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