Drought worries lead to stringent water restrictions across Metro Vancouver

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – Due to the ongoing unseasonably hot and dry conditions, Metro Vancouver is implementing Stage 2 water restrictions across the region for the first time since 2003. One of the reasons for this is because local reservoirs are at 79 per cent right now, compared to the same time over the past couple of years when it was about 91 per cent.

Effective today, homeowners with even numbered addresses can sprinkle their lawns on Mondays from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m., and odd numbered addresses from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursdays. You will also be banned from any type of pressure washing.

Water parks are going to face restrictions, public fountain displays cannot continue to operate, and golf courses will be allowed to water fairways just once a week as the agency cracks down on usage.

“Metro Vancouver takes water conservation and protection of our sources of drinking water extremely seriously,” says Chief Administrative Officer Carol Mason.

“Over the last several years, our lawn sprinkling regulations have had a significant positive impact on reducing water demands in the peak summer season, and we are asking residents and businesses to further conserve water at this time.”

You can continue to sprinkle water on your flowers and vegetable gardens.

“We need to reduce our discretionary use of water including lawn sprinkling and washing cars,” said Board Chair Greg Moore. “Our reservoir levels need to be maintained for priority needs in our homes and businesses, and for community needs like fire protection.”

“We are seeing record temperatures and there was virtually no rain in June when normally we have rain on about 12 days,” adds Moore. “We all have to do our part and conserve water whenever possible, and that now includes only watering lawns once a week.”

There has been a 27 per cent decline in per-capita water usage in Metro Vancouver since 1993.

One hour of lawn sprinkling uses as much water as 25 toilet flushes, five loads of laundry, and five dishwasher loads. The demand for water doubles during the hottest days of summer to as much as two billion litres of water a day.

 

Residential

*Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 4 a.m. – 9 a.m. Monday
*Odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 4 a.m. – 9 a.m. Thursday

Non-residential

*Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 1 a.m. – 6 a.m. Wednesday
*Odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 1 a.m. – 6 a.m. Tuesday
*Municipal parks must also follow the once weekly lawn sprinkling times

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