Lawn watering limitations in Metro Vancouver will start on May 1.
To help save water, residences and businesses in the area will only be allowed to water their lawns once a week.
George Harvie, chair of Metro Vancouver, emphasized the importance of water conservation due to low snowpack and the anticipated hot and dry summer.
Metro Vancouver chair George Harvie emphasized the need for water conservation and urged residents not to waste treated drinking water on their lawns.
Metro Vancouver expects reservoirs to be full by mid-May, with the current snowpack at 56 percent of the historical average.
The weather forecast predicts extended dry and hot periods for this spring and summer.
Metro is warning that a complete ban on lawn watering may be necessary if excessive outdoor water use continues in the coming months.
Malcolm Brodie, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee, stated that a ban on lawn watering may be required if treated drinking water continues to be used excessively for outdoor purposes.
The goal this year is to avoid escalating restrictions for as long as possible, but it ultimately depends on residents' actions.
Restrictions on lawn watering will be enforced from May 1 to Oct. 15.
Stage 1 residential lawn watering:
• On Saturdays, automatic watering is permitted between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for even-numbered addresses.
• On Sundays, automatic watering is allowed between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for odd-numbered addresses.
• Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., or manually or using drip irrigation at any time. Edible plants are exempt from restrictions.
Stage 1 non-residential law watering:
• On Mondays, automatic watering is allowed between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for even-numbered addresses.
• On Tuesdays, automatic watering is permitted between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for odd-numbered addresses.
• Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., or manually or using drip irrigation at any time.
These restrictions do not apply to the use of rain water, grey water, recycled water, or other non-drinking water sources, according to Metro.
Related
- B.C. wildfire season: Expect an early, intense battle as drought lingers
- B.C. to provide $80 million to help farmers cope with drought
- West Vancouver receiving criticism for allegedly ignoring rule violators who water their grass
