Metro Vancouver says it is moving from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water restrictions, starting this week.

What does this mean for residents?

Moving from Stage 3 to Stage 2 means you can use a sprinkler between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., or a soaker hose at any time, to water trees, shrubs, or flowers, according to the regional district’s website.

However, watering your lawn will still be prohibited.

Loosening restrictions to Stage 2 also means you will be able to wash vehicles and boats, the website says. Under Stage 3, only windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and boat engines were permitted to be cleaned.

Stage 3 restrictions have been in effect since June 8. When they were introduced, Metro Vancouver said there were several factors putting pressure on the region’s water system, including dry weather conditions, low snowpack, and forecasts for a dry summer.

However, one of the biggest factors was the First Narrows Crossing — one of two main crossings transporting drinking water from the North Shore mountains into Metro Vancouver’s water system — being taken out of service while the region did work on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel.

The work has now been completed, Metro Vancouver says.

Stage 2 restrictions kick in Thursday. More information on what this includes can be found here.