Watering restrictions to begin in Metro Vancouver as snowpack below normal
‘It’s more important than ever to limit unnecessary water use by watering (lawns) just once a week,’ says Metro chair Mike Hurley.
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Lawn-watering restrictions are set to begin next month in Metro Vancouver, as officials warn that a low snowpack has led to a greater need to conserve water.
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Residents and businesses will be allowed to water their lawns just once per week under the seasonal restrictions, which run from May 1 until Oct. 15.
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“We’ve had a warm winter in Metro Vancouver and the snowpack, which helps boost our water supply as it melts through the spring and early summer, is below normal for this time of year,” said Mike Hurley, chairman of Metro. “It’s more important than ever to limit unnecessary water use by watering just once a week.”
As of April 1, the snowpack in the water supply areas remains below normal, averaging 55 per cent of the historical average. The snowpack is considerably lower than this time last year, when the collective average was 88 per cent of normal, according to Metro.
And the regional district expects spring and summer to be warmer and drier than normal, adding more strain on the reservoirs.
On average, the region collectively uses an average of one billion litres of drinking water per day, according to Metro — enough to fill B.C. Place. In the summer, daily water use can increase by over 50 per cent, driven by outdoor use, and largely due to lawn-watering.
If water use is high this spring and summer, it could lead to tighter water restrictions. Any decision to bring in stronger measures is based on facts, reasoned predictions and historical patterns, according to Metro.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, designated lawn-watering days are determined by property address and type.
Metro staff say trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered any day in the morning when using a sprinkler or at any time if hand-watering or using drip irrigation. Edible plants are exempt from the restrictions.
Here’s when residents can water lawns:
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• Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays — automatic watering between 5 and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 and 9 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays — automatic watering between 5 and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 and 9 a.m.
For businesses:
• Even-numbered addresses: Mondays — automatic watering between 4 and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 and 9 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays — automatic watering between 4 and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 and 9 a.m.
Staff say these restrictions don’t apply to the use of rainwater, grey water, any forms of recycled water or other sources of water outside the regional and municipal drinking water supply system.
“When the weather warms and demand is highest, we must conserve water for essential needs like drinking, cooking and cleaning, as well as environmental flows to sustain fish populations,” said Brad West, chairman of Metro’s water committee.
The restrictions will also help Metro build the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel, a project that the regional district says will help ensure a resilient water supply.
