Metro Vancouver experienced one of the hottest summers in recent time, and was ultimately forced to enter Stage 3 water restrictions in July, as the lack of rain heavily reduced water reservoir levels.
Among other restrictions, Stage 3 banned residents from watering their lawn, washing vehicles on their property, and even filling up their personal pools and hot tubs. The City of Vancouver heavily enforced the restrictions, and reportedly issued over 30 fines and 1400 warnings within the first 72 hours of the restriction coming into effect. Fines were $250 each.
Even with a few days of rain in late August, Accuweather forecasted Vancouver to remain under Stage 3 restrictions until the end of October. More than often however, the forecast tends to miss the mark, and did so with the drought, as the metro Vancouver water restrictions have officially downgraded from Stage 3, to Stage 2, effective immediately.
For the first time since July, the reservoirs are back to “normal” levels. If things continue to stay this way, Stage 2 could ultimately be downgraded to stage 1 within the upcoming weeks.
Stage 2 Restrictions
Residential lawn sprinkling is permitted:
- Even-numbered addresses Monday mornings 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Odd-numbered addresses Thursday mornings 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Non-residential lawn sprinkling is permitted:
- Even-numbered addresses Wednesday mornings 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
- Odd-numbered addresses Tuesday mornings 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
When it comes to private and commercial washing of driveways and parkades, including pressure washing, residents are advised it is only permitted for health and safety purposes.
In addition, sports fields are only permitted to use the minimum level of water required to keep grounds in usable conditions. Water for public and commercial fountains is also prohibited.