The City of Port Coquitlam has adopted Metro Vancouver’s revised regional water restrictions beginning May 1, 2022 for all residential and business owners.

Recent heatwaves impacting the region have highlighted the need for more proactive measures to secure the water supply. With lawns requiring only one hour of watering or rain per week, Metro Vancouver, with support from member municipalities, opted to revise the Drinking Water Conservation Plan (DWCP) to restrict lawn watering from two days to one day per week during Stage 1 and from one day per week to no watering in Stage 2.

The Drinking Water Conservation Plan is a regional plan that promotes water conservation and manages how residents, businesses, and member jurisdictions use drinking water during periods of high summer demand, as well as during water shortages and emergencies. The plan is administered by Metro Vancouver and implemented through municipal bylaws, with each City being responsible for monitoring and enforcing the restrictions in their communities.

The following regulations are in effect from May 1 to October 15:

Stage 1 Lawn Watering – Residential

• Even-numbered addresses may water Saturday mornings
• Odd-numbered addresses may water Sunday mornings
• Automatic watering: 5:00 to 7:00 a.m.
• Manual watering: 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is permitted any day from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. Edible plants are excluded from the restrictions.

Stage 1 Lawn Watering – Non-residential and Governments/Schools/Parks

• Even-numbered addresses may water Monday mornings
• Odd-numbered addresses may water Tuesday mornings
• Automatic watering: 4:00 to 6:00 a.m.
• Manual watering: 6:00 to 9:00 a.m.
• Watering soil-based or sand-based playing fields: 7pm to 9am

Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is permitted any day from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. Edible plants are excluded from the restrictions.

Exemption permits are available for new lawns or lawns being treated for the European Chafer Beetle.

Stage 2 Lawn Watering

Prohibited for Residential and Non-Residential uses.

Nurseries, farms, golf courses and businesses are excluded from Stage 1 and 2 restrictions. The restrictions reduce the likelihood of moving to Stage 3 restrictions that impact businesses such as golf courses, car washes and commercial cleaning services.

The City’s Program Ambassadors and Metro Vancouver staff will be out in the community to educate, monitor and enforce the new restrictions. Non-compliance can result in warnings, tickets, and fines.

Conserve Water

Ways to save water:

• A healthy lawn only needs to be watered for one hour per week – less if it rains.
• Let your lawn go dormant during the summer.
• Most lawns only need 2.5 cm of water each week. Put an empty tuna can on the lawn when you sprinkle and turn off the tap when the can is full.
• To reduce evaporation, keep your glass clippings on the lawn and mulch in your garden.

More information about the regulations and ways to conserve water is available at portcoquitlam.ca/wateritright.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca