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Metro Vancouver watering restrictions start

Under the restrictions, lawns may only be watered in the mornings.
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Lawn watering restrictions are part of Metro Vancouver’s Water Shortage Response Plan

Metro Vancouver launched its Stage 1 lawn watering restrictions on Monday.

They run until Oct. 15, to help conserve drinking water during the driest part of the year.

Under the restrictions, lawns may only be watered in the mornings. This is to reduce the load on the system during evening hours when demand is highest for domestic uses such as dishwashing, laundry, and showers.

“Water demand always goes up in the summer, which is also when we get the least rain,” said Darrell Mussatto, chair of Metro Vancouver’s utilities committee. “Reducing lawn watering has consistently proven to be an effective way to conserve water and lessen the strain on the region’s water transmission system.”

Lawn watering restrictions are part of Metro Vancouver’s Water Shortage Response Plan, which regulates how residents, businesses and local governments use drinking water in the summer months or during periods of water shortages. The plan aslo addresses other water use activities such as car and power washing.

“We evaluate our Water Shortage Response Plan periodically to respond to water use trends, to climate change and to new drinking water infrastructure,” said Mussatto. “We appreciate the time people have taken to share their thoughts during our recent public consultations to make sure our program effectively conserves water while also meeting the needs of residents and business.”

Metro Vancouver’s population continues to grow by more than 35,000 people every year. As population rises, continued per capita rate declines can potentially defer the need to expand the drinking water supply and infrastructure.

Climate change is impacting weather patterns across the globe, with more extreme incidents and stronger patterns of summer drought and winter storms. Snow packs are melting faster and earlier in the spring and average summer temperatures are climbing.

“A wet spring and a snowy winter isn’t an excuse to waste our drinking water in Metro Vancouver,” added Mussatto. “These regulations are in place to help residents develop long-term habits for drier years.”

Local governments throughout Metro Vancouver enforce the lawn watering restrictions through local bylaw regulations.

To help people maintain a healthy lawn while conserving water, see metrovancouver.org.

Regulations:

• Residential lawn watering:

Even-numbered addresses Monday, Wednesday, Saturday mornings 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.;

Odd-numbered addresses Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday mornings 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.