Limited seasonal supply
The region sees a lot of rain in the winter months but summers tend to be dry. Once the snowpack melts away in late spring or early summer, little water will flow into the reservoirs until the rain returns — usually in the fall. As a result, the region relies almost entirely on the stored water to meet drinking water needs in the high-demand season.
Challenges impacting water supply
The Metro Vancouver region is growing rapidly, and with it demand for drinking water is increasing. Additionally, climate change has introduced more unpredictable weather patterns, affecting both water use and the amount of water filling the region's reservoirs. These challenges put additional strain on the region's limited seasonal water supply.
Reducing water use
From May to October, water use in the region is at its highest — and this increase is driven by outdoor activities like lawn watering. Following the regional water restrictions or letting your lawn go dormant is the most effective way to reduce seasonal demand for water and save drinking water for where we need it most: drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Where the region's drinking water comes from
Metro Vancouver's water supply comes from the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam reservoirs within three protected water supply areas north of the populated areas. Snow accumulates in the mountains during the winter and melts in the spring, flowing along with rain runoff into the reservoirs. A portion of the stored water is released back into rivers downstream of the reservoirs to support fish habitat (environmental flows).
Provincial drought conditions
Drought conditions across British Columbia are monitored by the province and may not reflect conditions within the Metro Vancouver region. The six-level drought classification system used by the province is separate from Metro Vancouver's water restriction stages, which are based on local supply and demands. If local conditions become stressed, water restrictions may be escalated to help protect the region's drinking water supply.