Metro Vancouver residents will be limited to watering their lawns once a week, beginning May 1.
News of the upcoming restriction came down on Tuesday (April 9), with Metro Vancouver water committee chair Malcolm Brodie saying water conservation now could save the region from an outright ban later.
The region’s reservoirs are currently at about 56 per cent of their historical average. They’re expected to be fully by mid-May, but Metro Vancouver says the summer is forecast to be hot and dry and could quickly drain water stores away.
“Last year, we had to ban lawn watering mid-summer because use of our treated drinking water for outdoor use was too high. This year, we’re hoping to avoid escalating restrictions for as long as possible, but it really depends on you. Let your lawn go brown this summer, and save water for where it’s needed most: cooking, cleaning, and drinking,” Brodie said in a statement.
The Stage 1 restrictions, which are set to be in effect from May 1 to Oct. 15, mean residents can water their lawns one morning per week. Trees, shrubs and flowers can be watered alongside a person’s lawn in the morning, or anytime when done by hand or via drip irrigation. Edible plants are exempt from the restriction.
Residents are also allowed to use rain water or any type of recycled water as they please.
Watering days are based off of property type and address and can found on the Metro Vancouver website.
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