Watering restrictions went into place in Metro Vancouver over the weekend, two weeks earlier than usual.
"We learned many lessons from the drought last year, and we've been reviewing our Water Shortage Response Plan with input from residents and businesses to achieve our conservation objectives while mitigating impacts," said Metro Vancouver board chair Greg Moore.
"As a result, the lawn sprinkling regulations are commencing two weeks earlier this year and running two weeks longer because they have a profound positive impact in reducing consumption during the peak demand summer season."
Restrictions went into place on Sunday and will run until Oct. 15.
With last year's hot, dry conditions, the region saw Stage 3 water restrictions for the first time in more than a decade.
The situation isn't expected to go that far this year.
"We are in a better position this year with respect to our water supply," said Darrell Mussatto, chair of Metro Vancouver's utilities committee.
"If everyone respects the sprinkling restrictions, and many chose to simply let their lawns go dormant knowing they will greenup in the fall, we hope to meet our conservation targets without escalating restrictions."
Under Stage 1 regulations, residential lawn sprinkling is permitted between 4 and 9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for evennumbered addresses and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays for odd-numbered addresses.
