Metro's watering restrictions start May 1

Seasonal restrictions on lawn watering in Metro Vancouver will come into effect on May 1.

The regional district said residences and businesses will be allowed to water their lawns a maximum of once a week.

Metro Vancouver chairperson George Harvie said with a low snowpack and every expectation of a hot and dry summer, residents should make water conservation a priority.

“Our water use plans are carefully tuned to respond to climate change and public demand, and we rely in part on residents doing the right thing by not wasting treated drinking water on their lawns,” he said in a statement Tuesday.

Reservoirs are expected to be full by mid-May with snowpack currently at 56 per cent of the historical average, according to Metro Vancouver.

But weather forecasts for this spring and summer suggest prolonged periods with little rain and above-average temperatures.

Metro is reminding residents that an outright ban on lawn watering may be necessary if there's excessive outdoor water use in the coming months.

“Last year, we had to ban lawn watering midsummer because use of our treated drinking water for outdoor use was too high,” Malcolm Brodie, chairperson of Metro Vancouver's water committee, said in a statement Tuesday.

“This year, we're hoping to avoid escalating restrictions for as long as possible, but it really depends on you.

“Let your lawn go brown this summer, and save water for where it's needed most: cooking, cleaning and drinking.”

Lawn watering restrictions will be in place from May 1 until Oct. 15.

STAGE 1 RESIDENTIAL LAWN WATERING:

■ Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays — automatic watering between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

■ Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays — automatic watering between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

■ Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler any day between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., or any time by hand or using drip irrigation.

■ Edible plants are exempt from restrictions.

STAGE 1 NON-RESIDENTIAL LAWN WATERING:

■ Even-numbered addresses: Mondays — automatic watering between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

■ Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays — automatic watering between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and manual watering between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

■ Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered with a sprinkler any day between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., or any time by hand or using drip irrigation.

These restrictions do not apply to the use of rain water, grey water, any forms of recycled water, or other sources of water outside the regional and municipal drinking water supply system, Metro said.