Let’s use our drinking water wisely – follow lawn watering restrictions from May 1-October 15

Whether it comes from a tap or a hose, it's all drinking water - and we are all responsible for using the region's drinking water wisely. Watering restrictions are in effect from May 1 through October 15, 2024. Following the restrictions for outdoor water use helps to conserve water for drinking, food production, and other important uses such as cooking and cleaning.

Watering restrictions are currently at Stage 1, which means you are required to limit lawn watering to one day per week (Saturdays for even-numbered addresses or Sundays for odd-numbered addresses). Visit portmoody.ca or metrovancouver.org for more information, including permitted times of day for watering. Using less water can help us avoid a move to Stage 2 watering restrictions, which would introduce a ban on lawn watering.

Drinking water is a shared resource in our region and is managed by Metro Vancouver under their Drinking Water Conservation Plan. In the City of Port Moody, this plan is enforced through our Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 3346. All residents should conserve water and follow all watering restrictions to avoid fines.

Why is it important to limit outdoor water use?

• water from our kitchen taps and backyard hoses comes from the same source;
• during the warmer months and in periods of dry weather, our regional water use can increase by up to 50 per cent, largely due to lawn and garden watering;
• to address these seasonal fluctuations in water demand, region-wide watering regulations are in effect from May to October each year as a measure to conserve drinking water; and
• we must also prepare for changes to rainfall and snowpack due to climate change - in Metro Vancouver, warmer annual temperatures and longer dry spells, combined with reductions in snowpack and earlier spring melt, can put a strain on the existing water supply during times of the year when water is in greatest demand.

Visit welovewater.ca for tips on caring for your lawn and conserving water outdoors.