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Lawn Watering Restrictions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​Our​​​ water use can increase by 50% in summer and early fall, largely due to lawn watering. The region‑wide watering restrictions are an effective way to help us use our drinking water wisely.

Stage 1 restrictions – May 1 to October 15​

​

Residential

Residential lawn watering allowed:

Even-numbered addresses on Saturdays
Odd-numbered addresses on Sundays

  • Automatic watering: 5:00 am - 7:00 am
  • Manual watering: 6:00 am - 9:00 am

​Watering trees, shrubs,​ and flowers is permitted any day from 5:00 am to 9:00 am if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.

Edible plants are exempt from restrictions.

Non-residential

​Non-residential lawn watering allowed:​

Even-num​bered addresses on Mondays
Odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays

  • Automatic watering: 4:00 am - 6:00 am
  • Manual watering: 6:00 am - 9:00 am

Wateri​​ng trees, shrubs, and flowers  permitted any day from 4:00 am to 9:00 am if using a sprinkler, or any time if han​d watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.

​Edible plants are exempt from restrictions.

​

Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan is a regional policy developed with local governments and other stakeholders to manage the use of drinking water during periods of high demand.​

​​The full list of water restrictions​ for ​Stages 1 to 4 is available in the Drinking Water Conservation Plan Summary.

These restrictions do not apply to the use of rain water, gray water, any forms of recycled water, or other sources of water outside the GVWD/municipal water supply system.

Definitions​

​

 

 

Automatic wateringAutomatic watering<div class="ExternalClass767C51BD257D43A5A1358A081027BF41"><p>Automatic watering means applying water using an automated water delivery system that requires only minimal human intervention or supervision and typically employs mechanical, electronic, or other components and devices, including but not limited to timers, sensors, computers, or mechanical appliances. An automated irrigation system is an example of automatic watering.<br></p></div>
Manual wateringManual watering<div class="ExternalClassDEC67C1DE90845F2B73F4137144B5A44"><p>​​Manual watering means applying water using a device or tool that is manually held or operated by a human being, without automatic watering. An example of manual watering is if once a week during the permitted time, a resident puts a sprinkler on their lawn, goes to their home’s outdoor tap, turns the water on for one hour, then returns to the tap and turns it off.​<br></p></div>

 

 

Municipal enforcement

Contact information for municipal enforcement of the watering regulations.​



 Related links

 

 

Current Reservoir Levelshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/reservoir-levels-water-use, Current Reservoir LevelsCurrent Reservoir Levels
Watersheds & Reservoirshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/watersheds-reservoirs, Watersheds & ReservoirsWatersheds & Reservoirs
Where Our Water Comes Fromhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/watersheds-reservoirs, Where Our Water Comes FromWhere Our Water Comes From
Drinking Water Conservation Planhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/drinking-water-conservation-plan, Drinking Water Conservation PlanDrinking Water Conservation Plan

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