Here are some tips from Metro Vancouver to minimize the quantity of water that's wasted on lawns:

. A healthy lawn only needs to be watered for one hour, once a week, or less if it rains.

. Most lawns only need 2.5 cm or one inch of water each week. Put an empty tuna can out on the lawn when you sprinkle. Turn off the sprinkler when the tuna can is full of water.

. Water your lawns and gardens early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

. Leave grass clippings on your lawn. This reduces evaporation and the need to water your lawn.

. Replace lawns with ornamental grasses and other drought-resistant plants that require little or no regular watering.

. Some residents are choosing to let their lawn go dormant during the summer. When it rains again, a yellow lawn "greens up" after just a few days of cloudy, wet weather.

More information is available on the regional district's website, www.metrovancouver.org.