Metro Vancouver watering restrictions to begin soon amid low snowpack

A sprinkler spraying water on a lawn. (Q. Hung Pham/Pexels)

Seasonal lawn watering restrictions will come into effect in Metro Vancouver at the start of next month, as officials say below normal snowpack increases the need to conserve water.

Starting on May 1, homes and businesses will only be allowed to water their lawns once a week.

“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 Metro Vancouver board chair Mike Hurley, in a news release issued Tuesday.

“It’s more important than ever to limit unnecessary water use by watering just once a week.”

As of March 1, snowpack levels in the South Coast and Lower Fraser snow basins were at 61 and 77 per cent of normal, respectively, according to the province. The data for April 1 is expected to be released in the coming days.

“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,” water committee chair Brad West said, in the release.

Under Stage 1 watering restrictions, residents with even numbered addresses can water their lawns on Saturdays, between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. if automatic and between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. if watering manually. Homes with odd-numbered addresses can do the same on Sundays.

People can water trees, shrubs and flowers on any day, in the morning if using a sprinkler or at any time by hand.

Non-residential lawn watering is permitted on Mondays for even-numbered addresses and Tuesdays for odd-numbered addresses, between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. automatically and 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. manually.

The restrictions do not apply if using rainwater, grey water or any forms of recycled water.

The rules are set to remain in place until Oct. 15, but if water usage is too high during the summer, the regional district could impose tighter restrictions.