Every drop counts and the City is encouraging residents and businesses to conserve water where possible during these unprecedented levels of dry weather being observed in B.C.
The lower mainland is currently under the Drinking Water Conservation Plan requirements led by Metro Vancouver. The Metro Vancouver region has been experiencing a period of unseasonably warm and dry weather since the end of April 2023, with very minimal precipitation, along with higher-than-average water demands.
While water restrictions are currently at stage 1, Metro Vancouver is continually monitoring water supplies to determine if restrictions will need to be moved to stage 2.
Successful water conservation across the region will reduce the likelihood of having to activate Stage 2 of the Drinking Water Conservation Plan, where lawn watering is banned and some businesses will be impacted.
There are many simple steps one can take to decrease their water use both indoors and outdoors:
Indoor Water Conservation
- Reduce personal water use, such as taking shorter showers.
- If washing dishes by hand, fill the sink, rather than letting the water run freely.
- Instead of running the tap, keep a jug of cool water in the fridge.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Regularly check your home for leaks. Undetected leaks in your home can waste many litres of water each year.
- Run full loads of laundry and full loads in the dishwasher.
Outdoor Water Conservation
- Water lawns sparingly. One hour a week is all you need for a healthy lawn.
- Water things, such as gardens, in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
- Clean the driveway with a broom instead of a hose.
- Check for leaks in outdoor pipes, faucets and hoses.
- Talk to a local nursery or garden supplies centre about drought-tolerant plants.
- Use rain barrels to collect rainwater for outdoor plant use.
- If you have a swimming pool, consider a water-saving pool filter.
More information about ways to conserve water is available at portcoquitlam.ca/waterwise.
The City continues to follow the Drinking Water Conservation Plan which 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.
For information about the regulations please visit portcoquitlam.ca/wateritright.
To view drought levels in the area and throughout the province, visit the Drought Portal for maps and tables:https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=838d533d8062411c820eef50b08f7ebc
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Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]