The City of Vancouver will implement the annual watering restrictions set by Metro Vancouver, starting this Friday, May 1.
In an information bulletin, the city notes that residents will be allowed to water their lawns and gardens two days per week. It notes that seasonal watering restrictions are key to ensuring everyone has access to drinking water during the dry summer months.
The city adds that climate change as well as a growing population continue to add pressure to regional water supplies. As such, the water restrictions help ensure there is an adequate supply of treated drinking waters for essential daily tasks like cooking, cleaning and drinking - while still allowing for healthy landscapes.
While people are spending more time at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the city highlights that they will spend more time gardening than in previous years. As a result, the water restrictions remain an important requirement this season.
Anyone who waters outside the designated times is subject to a $250 fine for the by-law offence.
The watering restrictions commence Friday, May 1 and stay in effect until Oct. 15.
Permitted watering times
Even with watering restrictions, Vancouver's water use doubles in the summer due to lawn and garden watering. However, the city notes that lawns in Vancouver generally need only one inch of water for one hour each week, including rainfall, to stay healthy and green.
Residents can check their permitted watering through the VanConnect app or online.
Lawn watering days for residential addresses
- Even-numbered addresses: 4am – 9am on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Odd-numbered addresses: 4am – 9am on Thursdays and Sundays
Lawn watering days for non-residential addresses
- Even-numbered addresses 1 – 6 am on Mondays; 4 – 9 am on Fridays
- Odd-numbered addresses: 1 – 6 am on Tuesdays; 4 – 9 am on Fridays
