Starting July 16, Metro Vancouver is moving from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water restrictions. The First Narrows Crossing is returning to service following completion of critical infrastructure work on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel Project. Until then, Stage 3 water restrictions remain in effect.
Stage 3 water restrictions in effect until July 16
Translations
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 any day, any time using drip irrigation, or by hand with a water container or hose with spring-loaded nozzle
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No sprinklers or soaker hoses
Vegetable gardens
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Can be watered at any time
Decorative water features (fountains, ponds)
Vehicles and boats
-
At home – spot cleaning for safety only (windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and boat engines)
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Commercial car washes – water-efficient facilities allowed
Surfaces
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Hired commercial cleaner – cleaning for health or safety or prepping a surface for painting or similar treatment only (no aesthetic cleaning)
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Personal pressure washer and garden hoses – prohibited
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Personal – no topping up or filling
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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 any day, any time using drip irrigation, or by hand with a water container or hose with spring-loaded nozzle
-
No sprinklers or soaker hoses
Vegetable gardens
-
Can be watered at any time
Decorative water features (fountains, ponds)
Golf courses
-
Watering fairways prohibited except if operating under an approved member jurisdiction water management plan
Vehicles and boats
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At your workplace – spot cleaning for safety only (windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and boat engines)
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Commercial car washes – only allowed if operating on a basic wash and rinse cycle, or recovers 60% of water over the full wash cycle, or if it is a hand wash facility using high pressure (max.11.4 L/min) wands/brushes
Surfaces
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Hired commercial cleaner – cleaning for health or safety or prepping a surface for painting or similar treatment only
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No aesthetic cleaning
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Topping up or filling only allowed with a permit to operate in accordance with health authorities having jurisdiction over pool and hot tub regulation
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 3 water restrictions are in effect across the Metro Vancouver region beginning June 8. 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.
Frequently asked questions
| Can I use drinking water to clean outdoor surfaces during Stage 3? | Can I use drinking water to clean outdoor surfaces during Stage 3? | <div class="ExternalClassC3D67ECB1F434BF1AA7538C8869D231B"><p>It depends on the reason for the cleaning. Drinking water can be used for health and safety cleaning, such as removing contaminants, bodily fluids, slip hazards, pests, or heavy dirt or debris that obstructs visibility on vehicle windows or mirrors. Drinking water cannot be used for aesthetic cleaning.<br></p></div> |
| 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> |
| Can businesses that rely on drinking water continue operating during Stage 3 water restrictions? | Can businesses that rely on drinking water continue operating during Stage 3 water restrictions? | <div class="ExternalClassFE31A9C6DC444FDCB63F974C015AF874"><p>Yes. Businesses that rely on drinking water can continue operating, but they must follow Stage 3 restrictions for non-essential uses such as aesthetic cleaning, sprinkling systems, lawn watering, and other restricted outdoor water uses.</p></div> |
| Are there exemptions or special permits available for businesses during Stage 3 water restrictions? | Are there exemptions or special permits available for businesses during Stage 3 water restrictions? | <div class="ExternalClass037C31D5F3B044069F0A7533F605B35E"><p>There is no general exemption or special permit process for businesses during Stage 3. Restrictions are in place to reduce non-essential water use to protect the drinking water system and for public safety.<br></p></div> |
| Are water-efficient tools or systems, like drip irrigation, permitted under Stage 3 restrictions? | Are water-efficient tools or systems, like drip irrigation, permitted under Stage 3 restrictions? | <div class="ExternalClassADBD6CFF8B054C73B951FB107554EC37"><p>Yes. Drip irrigation may be used at any time to water trees, shrubs, and flowers during Stage 3. Sprinklers, micro-spray systems, misting systems, soaker hoses, and lawn watering are not permitted.<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 Stage 3 water restrictions apply the same way across all Metro Vancouver municipalities? | Do Stage 3 water restrictions apply the same way across all Metro Vancouver municipalities? | <div class="ExternalClassB482BCE559274D10AE88027184B25CD8"><p>Stage 3 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.
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