Metro Vancouver moves to Stage 2 water restrictions

With little rain in the forecast, Metro Vancouver is moving to Stage 2 watering restrictions to conserve the region’s drinking water during the hot and dry weather.

Under Stage 2 restrictions all lawn watering is prohibited, starting Aug. 4.

Since the beginning of May, water consumption across the region has been about 20 per cent higher than last year, with residents using more water every single day compared to 2022, according to a Metro Vancouver news release Friday.

Residents can still water their vegetable gardens, trees, shrubs, and flowers by hand or using soaker hoses or drip irrigation at any time, or by using a sprinkler between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. any day.

However, they are not allowed to fill or top up aesthetic water features, such as fountains, or wash impermeable surfaces like driveways and sidewalks.