Metro-Vancouver Water Restrictions Start May 1
Stage 1 water restrictions will be in effect from May 1 until October 15, 2026, during which lawn watering is only permitted one morning per week. These restrictions are outlined in Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan.
Globally 2025 was the third warmest year on record, behind only 2023 and 2024. Here in the region, we can continue to expect longer hotter summers and milder winters, in addition to the growing population, which puts pressure on the region’s drinking water supply and system.
2026 Water Supply Update and Conservation
Currently, the region’s source reservoirs are at typical seasonal levels and the snowpack is below normal for this time of year. The reservoirs get filled every winter and spring by precipitation and snowmelt, and that water needs to last through the summer and into the fall when the rain usually returns. It is still early to tell how the relatively dry winter will affect our water supply, but Metro Vancouver is proactively monitoring the weather conditions and actively managing the infrastructure that delivers our drinking water.
Metro Vancouver typically has adequate water supply through the summer for where it is needed most: drinking, cooking, and cleaning. In addition to these essential needs, Metro Vancouver’s reservoirs must also provide environmental flows to sustain fish populations. It is important that we all continue to take measures to conserve our water supply. Without strong adherence to Stage 1 watering restrictions, there is always a chance that we may need to ban lawn watering to ensure the water in our source reservoirs will last until the fall rain returns.
We urge you to encourage your customers to adhere to Stage 1 watering restrictions and to promote sustainable lawn care and landscaping practices to prepare for this upcoming season. To help ensure healthy establishment of new lawns and landscapes, we also recommend scheduling new installations earlier in the spring, before the warm, dry period begins. Early installation allows turf and plants to establish properly and reduces stress during hot weather. It also helps avoid the time of year when Stage 2 restrictions may be activated, which would include a lawn watering ban.
Watering Restrictions Under Stage 1
Residential:
• Watering lawns
Even-numbered addresses on Saturdays and odd-numbered addresses on Sundays:
o Automatic watering – from 5:00 am to 7:00 am
o Manual watering – from 6:00 am to 9:00 am
• Watering of trees, shrubs, and flowers, excluding edible plants
o Any day from 5:00 am to 9:00 am if using a sprinkler
o Any day at any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation
Non-residential:
• Watering lawns
Even-numbered addresses on Mondays and odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays:
o Automatic watering – from 4:00 am to 6:00 am
o Manual watering – from 6:00 am to 9:00 am
• Watering of trees, shrubs, and flowers, excluding edible plants
o Any day 4:00 am to 9:00 am if using a sprinkler
o Any day at any time if using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation
In cases of mixed zoning (where commercial or industrial uses are on the same property as residential) the property is designated as “Non-Residential.”
Watering soil-based and sand-based playing fields are permitted as follows:
• Overnight from 7:00 pm to 9:00 am, except if:
o Watering newly over-seeded fields in compliance with a member jurisdiction permit
o Operating under a member jurisdiction’s approved water management plan
Learn more about Metro Vancouver’ water conservation resources
• Lawn Watering Restrictions
• Waterwise lawn care and water conservation resources: It’s All Drinking Water
• Reservoir Levels and Water Use
If you have any questions regarding Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan, please contact Charu Bhanot at 236-333-8541 or at Charu.Bhanot@metrovancouver.org
Sincerely,
Linda Parkinson, P.Eng MBA (she/her)
Director, Policy, Planning, and Analysis
Water Services