Park Board Implements New Water Conservation Measures

September 5, 2003 (No. 51) - The Vancouver Park Board announced today additional steps to conserve water, in response to continuing and severe water shortages.

Effective immediately, all potable water use will be cut back or eliminated entirely, except for a few areas which will be serviced through limited irrigation and alternate water sources.

Reduced watering has already been in-place this summer throughout the parks and recreation system in light of the water sprinkling restrictions imposed by the Greater Vancouver Regional District. The new measures were taken after careful consideration of potential loss of plant material, revenues, landscape quality and future restoration costs.

Adopted on a voluntary basis by the Park Board and in-place until further notice, the new actions include:

• No watering of annual or perennial flower beds;
• No watering of passive turf (lawns);
• No watering of shrubs and park trees;
• No watering of soil-based playing fields;
• No vehicle washing unless required for safety or operation; and
• No pressure washing of buildings and structures.

Alternate water sources such as Park Board swimming pools (de-chlorinated) and the Fraser River will be used to continue limited watering for:

• New plantings and landscapes;
• New street trees; and
• McCleery and Langara Golf Courses.

Limited irrigation will be carried out to protect investments for more sensitive areas such as sand and sand/soil playing fields.

Reduced irrigation will continue at Fraserview Golf Course which will draw down its own storage pond. The greens only for Pitch and Putt courses will be watered.

Water features including fountains and spray parks, most of which are recirculating, have been turned off.

All potable water supplies have been discontinued to park ponds, lakes and creeks. A number of water bodies (Trout Lake, Beaver Lake, Lost Lagoon, Hastings, Tatlow and Charleson Parks) will be monitored for stress to birds and fish; if apparent, these will be refilled to minimum levels.

A program for water conservation in Park Board buildings is also being developed. In the meantime, all possible measures are being initiated in those facilities.

Contact: Joyce Courtney, Communications Manager phone: 604-257-8699 or cell: 604-861-4375, vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.

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