Every year, Metro Vancouver adopts outdoor water use regulations to conserve drinking water during the summer months.
Stage one regulations came into effect today (May 1) and are in place until Oct. 15.
Lawn watering is allowed up to two mornings per week, while trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered mornings only when using a sprinkler. An hour of rain or watering per week is all a lawn needs to remain healthy.
“Long range climate projections show that our region can expect increasingly hot and dry summers in the future,” said Sav Dhaliwal, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors. “Implementing good conservation habits now will help us meet the ongoing challenges of population growth and climate change, both of which put increasing pressure on our water system. We all have to do our part and conserve water whenever we can.”
Recent snowpack surveys conducted in the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam watersheds show snowpack levels 80 to 90 per cent of the historical average for this time of year, and reservoir levels are expected to reach 100 per cent capacity by mid-May.
“Although we are in relatively good shape as we head into the summer, water demand has already been slightly higher than normal so far this spring, likely due to a run of warm weather and more people spending time at home as a result of COVID-19,” said Jerry Dobrovolny, Metro Vancouver’s CAO and Commissioner. “We encourage all residents and business to respect the seasonal regulations and reduce the amount of water they use indoors and outdoors every day.”The following regulations apply to all properties in Delta when stage one regulations are in place.
Residential properties
Lawn watering regulations:
Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 4 to 9 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday mornings from 4 to 9 a.m.
Tree, shrub, and flower watering regulations:
On any day from 4 to 9 a.m. if using a sprinkler.
On any day at any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
Edible plants can be watered on any day at any time using any watering device.
Non-residential properties
Lawn watering regulations:
Even-numbered addresses: Monday from 1 to 6 a.m. and Friday from 4 to 9 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday from 1 to 6 a.m. and Friday from 4 to 9 a.m.
Tree, shrub, and flower (excluding edible plants) watering regulations:
On any day from 1 to 9 a.m. if using a sprinkler.
On any day at any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
For more information about these regulations, please visit delta.ca/waterrestrictions.
