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Low snowpack brings Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­lawn watering restrictions May 1

Brown lawns are encouraged in Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­to save water in anticipation of low water reservoirs in 2024.
Graeme Wood
Graeme Wood
Vegetable Garden
Lawns in Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­will likely have to go brown this summer but vegetable gardens can be watered any time; you'll have just one opportunity a week to water your lawn starting May 1, 2024.via Brian Minter

Any residential lawn watering outside of Saturday and Sunday mornings will be outlawed across the Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­regional district on May 1, as officials brace to manage a historic low snowpack and prospects of a dry summer.

“With a low snowpack this year and every expectation of a hot and dry summer, it’s important that all residents make water conservation a priority,” said Delta mayor and the regional district’s chair George Harvie in a statement.

Starting May 1, residents will have only one morning per week to water their lawns; those residing at even-numbered addresses may automate watering between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and manually water between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., on Saturdays; those at odd-numbered addresses may do the same but only on Sundays.

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. And edible plants are exempt from the restrictions. 

Commercial and industrial properties are limited to lawn watering on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­officials say they had started to fill the region’s three reservoirs earlier than usual and so they are “on target to be full by mid-May,” with snowpack currently at 56 per cent of the historical average.

The snowpack station at Palisade Lake, north of Grouse Mountain, shows snow water equivalent at just under 465 mm, just outside the minimum range of about 480 mm and far from the historic range of about 900 mm.

However, weather forecasts for this spring and summer “anticipate prolonged periods” with little rain and above-average temperatures, prompting concern.

“Last year, we had to ban lawn watering mid-summer because use of our treated drinking water for outdoor use was too high,” said Malcolm Brodie, chair of Metro Vancouver's water committee.

“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."

Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­now delivers drinking water to nearly 2.8 million residents using water from the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam reservoirs.

STAGE 1 RESIDENTIAL LAWN WATERING ALLOWED:

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

STAGE 1 NON-RESIDENTIAL LAWN WATERING ALLOWED:

  • 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.