Metro Vancouver has extended Stage 1 of the Drinking Water Conservation Plan from Oct. 15 to Oct. 31 due to the ongoing warm and dry weather.  

The decision to extend Stage 1 is being made based on careful consideration of several factors such as weather forecast, seasonal water demand and compliance trends, resiliency planning, and current and projected storage capacity at Metro Vancouver reservoirs. 

Metro Vancouver region has been experiencing a long period of warm, dry weather since mid-July which is extending into October, along with higher than average water demands and lower than normal precipitation. We are currently at 48% capacity and want to ensure current water supplies are conserved well until the rain returns by extending the watering restrictions.

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 until Oct. 31:

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.

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.

MEDIA CONTACTS

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