Did you know: on the hottest summer days, as much as two billion litres of water are used in Metro Vancouver!
NOTE: These restrictions apply only to the use of treated drinking water. Using rain water, gray water, or any forms of recycled water are not restricted. You can also buy a water saving kit from the City, for half off retail price.
Residential lawn sprinkling restrictions: 1 June to 30 September
- Even-numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings 4:00am to 9:00am
- Odd-numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings, 4:00am to 9:00am
New (unestablished) residential and commercial lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers: Sprinkling outside restricted times allowed only at the discretion of each municipality and with special permits to be displayed on lawn.
Flowers and vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs and trees: no restrictions
Outdoor car washing and boat washing: Only with hose equipped with spring-loaded shut off.
Currently we are at Stage 1 out of 4 for water shortage in Vancouver.
About the watering restrictions, from the City of Vancouver website:
Why restrictions are needed in rainy Vancouver
While the Vancouver area gets a lot of rain, the Lower Mainland has limited water storage capacity. Much of the rainfall and melted snow in the Capilano and Seymour watersheds cannot be collected for later use during dry weather conditions.
Years ago, this wasn’t a problem, but recent population growth in the Lower Mainland has led to increased demand for water. The Greater Vancouver Regional District has implemented sprinkling regulations to avoid more restrictive measures in case of drought.
What happens if you water outside of the permitted times
The City of Vancouver recognizes that in some cases the regulations may not provide your lawn with enough water. If you have a new lawn or you are using nematodes to treat your lawn for European Chafer Beetles, you can apply for a Lawn sprinkling permit.
If you water your lawn outside of designated times and do not have a permit, you could be fined $100. The City will be actively patrolling for violations.
Start using water more efficiently in your yard. The City of Vancouver offers water saving kits that help you do your part for the environment, and prevent water shortages.
Outdoor water saving kit
If you have ever forgotten to shut-off a sprinkler or hose, you’ll appreciate the tools offered in this kit. Save up to 21 cubic meters of water per year. This is equivalent to about 90 full bathtubs!
The outdoor kit includes:
- 1 automatic timer for your sprinkler, so you can water your lawn any time, and prevent your grass from being overwatered.
- 1 trigger nozzle hose gun to ensure water is only used when the trigger is pressed.
- 1 Continental rain gauge to accurately monitor rainfall, so you can determine whether or not your lawn needs to be watered.
- 12 washers to help prevent your hose from leaking.
Buy water saving kits in person at a City of Vancouver service counter.
Pickup location #1
Revenue Services counter
1st Floor, City Hall
453 West 12th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4
Pickup location #2
Client Services counter
Crossroads Building
5th floor, 507 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5Z 0B4
NOTE: There is a limit per household of two of each type of kit. You will also need to prove you live in Vancouver, by showing your driver’s license or utility bill.