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

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-numbered addresses on Mondays
Odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays

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

Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is permitted any day from 4:00 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.

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 use restrictions for homes, businesses, governments, and schools 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 watering	Automatic 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 watering	Manual 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.

Current Reservoir Levels	https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/reservoir-levels-water-use, Current Reservoir Levels	Current Reservoir Levels
Watersheds & Reservoirs	https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/watersheds-reservoirs, Watersheds & Reservoirs	Watersheds & Reservoirs
Where Our Water Comes From	https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/watersheds-reservoirs, Where Our Water Comes From	Where Our Water Comes From
Drinking Water Conservation Plan	https://metrovancouver.org/services/water/drinking-water-conservation-plan, Drinking Water Conservation Plan	Drinking Water Conservation Plan

STAGE 2 Water Restrictions

Lawn Watering Prohibited as of August 4

Stage 1 Restrictions

Residential

Non-residential