Water restrictions explained

Stage 1:

• Permits for lawn watering issued in Stage 1 remain in effect until permit expires.

Under the Water Works By-law 4848 PDF file (1.6 MB) and Drinking Water Conservation By-law 12086 PDF file (99 KB), automatic shut-off devices are required on hoses year round for all watering and washing activities, regardless of the current level of water restrictions.

Hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

Washing your car on the street is illegal, it flushes soap and grease into curb drains, polluting our waterways. Car washing is allowed on private driveways, but we encourage using permeable surfaces like gravel or lawns when possible.

Read Street and Traffic Bylaw 2849 PDF file (949 KB)

Consider going to a car wash, they have special drains, use recirculating water, and typically use 7 times less water than washing in your driveway.

Washing impermeable surfaces is permitted under Stage 1 water restrictions provided that hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

Our drinking water comes from rain and snowmelt collected in the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam watersheds.

With population growth and climate change, there is increasing pressure on our water supply. Water restrictions help to make sure we have enough treated drinking water for everyone during the dry summer months.