Starting on May 1, seasonal regulations go into effect limiting lawn watering to one day
per week for Vancouver homes and businesses. These watering restrictions remain in
place until October 15 and help conserve drinking water during our hotter, drier months.
Watering outside these times could result in a $250 fine.
Even with watering restrictions, regional water use almost doubles in the summer due
to lawn and garden watering. Last year, watering restrictions were enhanced across
Metro Vancouver due to more unpredictable weather patterns and snow melt from
climate change, and to secure ongoing supply of the region’s drinking water. Vancouver
has strong outreach and enforcement programs in place to support reduced use of
drinking water across the region which peaks during summer.
per week for Vancouver homes and businesses. These watering restrictions remain in
place until October 15 and help conserve drinking water during our hotter, drier months.
Watering outside these times could result in a $250 fine.
Even with watering restrictions, regional water use almost doubles in the summer due
to lawn and garden watering. Last year, watering restrictions were enhanced across
Metro Vancouver due to more unpredictable weather patterns and snow melt from
climate change, and to secure ongoing supply of the region’s drinking water. Vancouver
has strong outreach and enforcement programs in place to support reduced use of
drinking water across the region which peaks during summer.
Permitted watering times
Lawns in Vancouver generally need only one inch of water for one hour each week,
including rainfall, to stay healthy and green. Lawns can also go ‘golden’ if not watered
as they enter a dormant state and return lush in the fall during rain. Residents can
check their permitted watering through the Van311 app or online.
Stage 1 Residential lawn watering allowed:
• Even–numbered addresses: Saturdays — automatic watering between 5:00 am
and 7:00 am, and manual watering between 6:00 am and 9:00 am.
• Odd–numbered addresses: Sundays — automatic watering between 5:00 am and
7:00 am, and manual watering between 6:00 am and 9:00 am.
• Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler any day between 5:00
am and 9:00 am, or any time by hand or using drip irrigation.
Stage 1 Non–residential lawn watering allowed:
• Even–numbered addresses: Mondays — automatic watering between 4:00 am
and 6:00 am, and manual watering between 6:00 am and 9:00 am.
• Odd–numbered addresses: Tuesdays — automatic watering between 4:00 am
and 6:00 am, and manual watering between 6:00 am and 9:00 am.
• Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler any day between 4:00
am and 9:00 am, or any time by hand or using drip irrigation.
Background
Watering restrictions are enacted through Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation
By–law #12086. These restrictions help ensure there is enough treated drinking water
for essential tasks like cooking, cleaning and drinking during the dry summer months.
Our water system was built to work with annual patterns of rain and snow in our
climate, but our climate is changing and our need for water is growing. With summer
demand for drinking water increasing, and fewer rainy days, the region is becoming
more susceptible to droughts and less available drinking water each year. Learn how
you can reduce your water consumption.
demand for drinking water increasing, and fewer rainy days, the region is becoming
more susceptible to droughts and less available drinking water each year. Learn how
you can reduce your water consumption.
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