Across BC, water restrictions are in effect throughout the year. Some cities and areas have more or fewer restrictions based on droughts, water use, and other issues and information that may pop up and be learned over the course of time.
BC has continued to get less rain and snow than usual, which is having a lasting impact on water levels across the province. There has been a severe drought since 2023, and it remains a risk. Everyone is encouraged to help save water, and these small changes can bring big impacts and make a difference when everyone does them together, which is why the restrictions are in place.
What is drought, and how does it affect water restrictions?
Drought in BC is especially noticeable during the summer months. Across the province, many water sources that depend on snowfall and rainfall from the rest of the year struggle to meet demands and water restrictions are put in place to ensure that everyone still has access to clean drinking water and that businesses, as well can continue to run smoothly. The last few years, BC has had even less snow and rainfall than usual, and this is causing more drought conditions.
Drought itself is a long period with below normal rain or snow that may result in a water shortage. It can affect the water we need to drink, grow food, and keep fish, animals, and the environment as a whole healthy and sustainable. Regional drought conditions are measured using a 0 to 5 scale, with 5 being the most severe. There are drought level maps available on the Drought Portal for BC website, that has more information about drought as a whole and how it works during the year, throughout the province.
Communities within a region can be impacted by drought differently depending on their water supply and demand. A community with a low drought level could still face restrictions if the water supply is low. The Drought Information Portal mentioned earlier updates every Thursday during drought season, as it tells those monitoring how dry the climate is in each geographic region, but it doesn’t tell anything about water supply availability. By working together to save water, communities can lessen the impacts of drought.
Preparing for drought conditions can be important, and there are structures in place to better help communities, from residential to commercial, such as farmers and food producers, and First Nations communities. At home, you can help and prepare by making small changes, such as using less water when able. Water-efficient taps, toilets, and washers, or collecting rainwater, are all good examples of preparing and helping yourself and others before and during a drought. Temporary protection orders may also be implemented as a last resort if voluntary water conservation and local water restrictions don’t mitigate the problem. Legally required water restrictions may be put in place when needed to protect at-risk fish and watersheds from long-lasting, irreversible harm.
Water restrictions across the province
How most water restrictions across the province work is that they are set into different stages based on how severe the issue might be with water usage and retained water left for use. The restrictions below are current as of writing and are subject to change and being updated as information becomes available.
Vancouver
Drinking water in Vancouver comes from rain and snowmelt collected in the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam watersheds. With population growth and climate change, there is increasing pressure on the water supply. Water restrictions help to make sure there is enough treated drinking water for everyone throughout the year, and especially during the dry summer months.
Current water restrictions in Vancouver and the dates they are for:
Stage 1 watering restrictions are in effect from May 1 to October 15.
The Metro Vancouver region experiences a 50% increase in drinking water use that is primarily attributed to lawn watering during the summer months. Vancouver’s summer water use increases are less than regional averages due to residents sticking to the water restrictions, a strong outreach and enforcement program. Water restrictions are also part of the regional Drinking Water Conservation Plan that is set by Metro Vancouver.
Regional water-use restrictions are in effect regardless of the weather, and well receiving a $250 fine for any watering outside of allotted times. Edible plants such as gardens are exempt from regulations, and most lawns only need about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. This is equal to about one hour of watering your lawn.
Permits
Permits for lawn watering issued in Stage 1 remain in effect until the permit expires.
Hoses must have an automatic shut-off device year-round
Per the Water Works bylaw and Drinking Water Conservation bylaw, automatic shut-off devices are required on hoses year-round for all watering and washing activities, regardless of the current level of water restrictions.
Residential car and boat washing
Hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, as noted previously. Washing your car on the street is illegal, as it flushes soap and grease into curb drains, and it pollutes waterways. Car washing is allowed on private driveways, but it is encouraged to have permeable surfaces like gravel or lawns whenever possible, to lessen the amount of water that goes into wastewater flow, drains and instead drains into the ground.
The city encourages owners to consider using car washes as they have special drains, use recirculating water, and, in general, use seven times less water than washing your car in your driveway.
Outdoor surfaces and power washing are permitted, but it is advised to consider sweeping instead of using water to wash any outdoor surfaces when applicable.
Hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Power washing is permitted, but only for cleaning outdoors and preferably on gravel or pavement where water can’t drain into the wastewater.
Surrey
Surrey has the same watering regulations as the Metro Vancouver region, which are in effect from May 1 to October 15 every year. The current regulations for Surrey, as stated on their site, are as follows:
Permitted activities during Stage 1 restrictions
- An automatic shut-off device (spray nozzle) is required on hoses.
- You may water your edible plants at any time
- Washing a car or boat any day at any time with a handheld hose on gravel or paved area where wash water cannot enter any stormwater drains. They recommend using a commercial car wash as they have special drains that treat the water.
- Washing or pressure washing outdoor surfaces any day at any time with a handheld hose or pressure washer
- Filling or topping up a pool, hot tub, ornamental fountain, or water feature
Residential lawn watering
Even-numbered addresses: Saturdays
Odd-numbered addresses: Sundays
Automatic watering is allowed 5 to 7am
Manual watering is 6 to 9am
Apartments and townhouses follow complex addresses, not individual unit numbers.
Non-residential lawn watering
Even-numbered addresses: Mondays
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays
Automatic watering: 4 to 6am
Manual watering: 6 to 9am
This includes businesses and mixed-use complexes (ex. Residential with commercial buildings)
Trees, shrubs, and flowers for watering
Residential: 5 to 9am for sprinklers, on any day
Non-residential: 4 to 9am for sprinklers, any day
Water at any time, any day is fine, if hand watering or using drip irrigation. Street trees need extra help to stay healthy during summer heat. Tips for watering any street trees are to water slowly to let the water soak deep into the ground, as it encourages a healthy root system. Even if it rains, it’s encouraged to water the trees as the small amount of rain they get during the dry summer months isn’t enough for trees to be sustained.
If a street tree near your home has a watering bag attached to it, you can help by filling it twice per week. If there is a young street tree near your home that doesn’t have a watering bag attached, feel free to contact and request one by calling 604-501-5050
There are special permits available for certain circumstances that may require more water, such as:
New lawns: $39
Newly seeded lawns: $39
Lawns under natural pest control, such as nematode treatments to control European Chafer Beetles: Free
Development sites are not exempt from water restrictions and require a permit for new lawn or seeds. Applying for a lawn sprinking permit is as easy as emailing lawnsprinklingpermits@surrey.ca with your
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Receipt (for any new lawn, seed, or natural pest control)
All permits are valid for a period of 21 days and any water utilized during the active permit period will be billed in accordance with the standard consumption rates established by the city, and additionally there are Sewer Discharge Charges and no billing adjustments, as possession of a permit does not entitle the permit holder to any reduction, exemption, or adjustment to metered utility bills.
All charges incurred during the permit period remain the responsibility of the account holder and are subject to the regular billing cycle. For more information or questions related to lawn sprinkling permits, you are able to call at 604-591-4340 and choosing option 5 for someone.
