Thursday, April 30, 2026
Metro Vancouver will implement Stage 2 water restrictions prohibiting all lawn watering starting May 1.
The reasons cited for the restrictions include a low snowpack, a forecasted drought, and maintaining water pressure during critical infrastructure upgrades, a Metro Vancouver release said.
“The snowpack in the water supply areas is well below normal, averaging around 50 per cent of the historical average, and considerably lower than last year. Although reservoirs are currently at typical levels, snowmelt helps keep reservoirs fuller longer,” the release said.
“Forecasters are predicting a drought this summer, which means less rainwater refill reservoirs through to the fall, and warning water suppliers to prepare,” it added.
Daily water use can increase by 50 per cent in the summer largely due to lawn watering and according to the release Metro Vancouver has one of the highest per-capita water consumption rates in Canada.
Under Stage 2 water restrictions:
- All lawn watering is prohibited
- Aesthetic water features, such as fountains, cannot be filled or topped up
- Washing surfaces like driveways and sidewalks is prohibited except in limited circumstances
- Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered by hand or using soaker hoses or drip irrigation at any time, or by using a sprinkler between 5:00 and 9:00 am any day
- Vegetable gardens can be watered at any time
Non-residential properties are subject to similar restrictions on lawn and garden watering, as well as filling and topping up aesthetic water features and washing impermeable surfaces, the release said.
These restrictions do not apply to the use of rainwater, grey water, any forms of recycled water, or other sources of water outside the regional and municipal drinking water supply system.an municipalities enforce watering restrictions through local bylaws.
It’s anticipated that restrictions will be tightened in early June when water use typically ramps up further, the release said.
