Region maintains Stage 1 water restrictions despite lack of rain
Posted July 26, 2017 12:22 pm.
Last Updated July 26, 2017 12:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s been a dry summer in Metro Vancouver, but water restrictions haven’t changed, and for that, you can thank last winter’s heavy snowfall. The lingering snow pack has provided a steady stream to keep reservoir levels up.
“Our reservoir levels right now in Metro Vancouver are about 81 per cent, which is well within our normal range for this time of year, so it’s actually a good thing,” explains Metro Vancouver Utilities Commission Chair Darrell Mussatto.
RESIDENTIAL LAWN WATERING ALLOWED
Even-numbered addresses Monday, Wednesday, Saturday mornings from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday mornings from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
NON-RESIDENTIAL LAWN WATERING ALLOWED
Even-numbered addresses Monday, Wednesday mornings 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses Tuesday, Thursday mornings 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
All non-residential addresses Friday mornings, 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Since Stage 1 water restrictions were brought in back mid-May, as usual, Metro Vancouver has seen around 90 millimetres of rain, compared to last year when the region had more than double that amount within the same timeframe.
Under the current restrictions, people can only water their lawns three days a week and wash their cars with a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle. It’s a far cry from the stage three restrictions the region reached by this point in 2015, which limited the use of almost everything from lawn sprinklers to water fountains.
“Ideally, and we’re well on track, is not to have to go to stage two at all this year,” says Mussatto, adding it all depends on how well Metro Vancouver conserves water. “I’m noticing people are more aware of the water use and they’re reducing. Now of course there’s always a few people that decide to water every day and that’s not right.”
Those caught breaking the rules could face fines up to $250.
