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Lawn Watering Restrictions

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As of July 16, 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 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

Residential

Lawns and landscaping

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 5:00 am to 9:00 am
Vegetable gardens
  • Can be watered at any time
Decorative water features (fountains, ponds)
  • No topping up or filling

Washing

Vehicles and boats
  • At home — washing allowed with spring-loaded hose nozzle
  • Commercial car washes — allowed
Surfaces
  • Personal pressure washer and garden hoses — washing for health or safety
  • Personal pressure washer and garden hoses — no aesthetic cleaning
  • Hired commercial cleaner — all types of cleaning activities are allowed

Pools and hot tubs

  • Personal — no impact
  • Public — remain open
  • Spray parks — user-activated spray parks remain open

Non-residential

Lawns and landscaping

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
Vegetable gardens
  • Can be watered at any time
Decorative water features (fountains, ponds)
  • No topping up or filling
Golf courses
  • Fairways watering prohibited except if operating under an approved member jurisdiction water management plan

Washing

Vehicles and boats
  • Washing allowed
  • Commercial car washes — no impact
Surfaces
  • Aesthetic cleaning by a commercial cleaner only
  • Cleaning for health or safety reasons, preparing a surface for painting or similar treatment

Pools and hot tubs

  • No impact
​​

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. Metro Vancouver has moved from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water restrictions now that the First Narrows Crossing has returned to service following completion of critical infrastructure work for the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel Project.

Stage 2 water restrictions remain necessary due to ongoing and forecasted dry conditions, low remaining snowpack, and high seasonal outdoor water use. 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.​

 Frequently asked questions

 

 

What is the difference between health and safety cleaning and aesthetic cleaning?What is the difference between health and safety cleaning and aesthetic cleaning?<div class="ExternalClassBCD1B769316A4546B6B4A48D8B177A41"><p>Health and safety cleaning addresses a specific risk, such as algae that could cause slips or unsanitary material that needs to be removed. Aesthetic cleaning is for appearance only, such as washing dirt, dust, or general grime from sidewalks, driveways, patios, or building exteriors.<br></p></div>
What is considered drip irrigation?What is considered drip irrigation?<div class="ExternalClass68DFA1C75405431D9831785DB0E1C22E"><p>Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of a plant at a low flow rate through individual emitters. It does not include sprinklers, micro-spray systems, misting systems, or soaker hoses.<br></p></div>
What is Metro Vancouver doing to increase water supply and reduce the need for future restrictions?What is Metro Vancouver doing to increase water supply and reduce the need for future restrictions?<div class="ExternalClass0AFEC0971ACF4C4EB771748A37A4DFB2"><p>Metro Vancouver is planning for the future through water conservation, infrastructure upgrades, and projects such as the <a href="/services/water/coquitlam-lake-water-supply-project" title="Coquitlam Lake Water Supply Project">Coquitlam Lake Water Supply Project</a>. This project will increase the region’s ability to access, treat, and deliver drinking water from Coquitlam Lake.</p></div>
Why do I need to conserve water when I live in a rainforest?Why do I need to conserve water when I live in a rainforest?<div class="ExternalClassDF70536CD0F64C44BA31F9DE3AF057B6"><p>Winter and spring may be wet but fall and summer are dry — and that’s when we use water the most. The average amount of water used daily in Metro Vancouver is 1 billion litres — enough to fill BC Place. During the hot, dry summer, our water use increases to more than 1.5 billion litres per day, mainly due to outdoor use. By keeping conservation in mind year-round, we can continue to have water for where it is needed most: drinking, cooking, cleaning, and emergency response.</p></div>
What should I do if I see water being used in a way that seems wasteful or non-compliant?What should I do if I see water being used in a way that seems wasteful or non-compliant?<div class="ExternalClass8542CFE547C54021A838F9D432532D80"><p>Water restrictions enforcement is handled by local municipalities. If you have concerns about possible non-compliance, contact your municipality for guidance.<br></p></div>
Do water restrictions apply the same way across all Metro Vancouver municipalities?Do water restrictions apply the same way across all Metro Vancouver municipalities?<div class="ExternalClassB482BCE559274D10AE88027184B25CD8"><p>Water restrictions apply across the Metro Vancouver region. Member jurisdictions implement and enforce the restrictions through their own local bylaws, communication programs, and enforcement activities.<br></p></div>
Why do some municipal rules or programs appear different from Metro Vancouver restrictions?Why do some municipal rules or programs appear different from Metro Vancouver restrictions?<div class="ExternalClass92F6F54771F745E39BC7B78136E01281"><p>Member jurisdictions may have local bylaws, programs, or public health and safety responsibilities that affect how restrictions are applied. For example, municipalities may use water during any stage when needed to protect public health and safety, such as operating misting stations during extreme heat.<br></p></div>

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.​

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. A programmed irrigation system is an example of automatic watering.​​<br></p></div>
Manual wateringManual watering<div class="ExternalClassDEC67C1DE90845F2B73F4137144B5A44"><p>​Manual, or hand 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. Hand watering is using a water container or a hose with an automatic shut off nozzle. </p></div>

Municipal enforcement

Each Metro Vancouver member jurisdiction enforces water restrictions in their area. Please select your location below to find local contact information.



 Related links

 

 

Water Restrictions Stage 2 Summary — Residentialhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/Documents/stage-2-water-restrictions-summary.pdf, Water Restrictions Stage 2 Summary – ResidentialWater Restrictions Stage 2 Summary — Residential
Water Restrictions Stage 2–3 Summary — Non-residentialhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/Documents/stage-2-3-water-restrictions-summary-non-residential.pdf, Water Restrictions Stage 2-3 Summary – Non-residentialWater Restrictions Stage 2–3 Summary — Non-residential
Water Restrictions Stage 2–3 Summary — Government/ Schools/ Parkshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/Documents/stage-2-3-water-restrictions-summary-govt-schools-parks.pdf, Water Restrictions Stage 2-3 Summary – Government/Schools/ParksWater Restrictions Stage 2–3 Summary — Government/ Schools/ Parks
Water Restrictions for Stages 1–4https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/Documents/drinking-water-conservation-plan-summary.pdf, Water Restrictions for Stages 1- 4Water Restrictions for Stages 1–4
It’s All Drinking Water — Conservation Tipshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/its-all-drinking-water, It’s All Drinking Water — Conservation TipsIt’s All Drinking Water — Conservation Tips
Current Reservoir Levelshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/reservoir-levels-water-use, Current Reservoir LevelsCurrent Reservoir Levels
Watersheds and Reservoirshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/watersheds-reservoirs, Watersheds and ReservoirsWatersheds and 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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