Metro Vancouver will be moving to Stage 3 water restrictions on June 8.
However, it might not last for the entire summer, according to the organization.
“This year is unique, with warm, dry weather, a low snowpack, and construction on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel impacting our water supply,” Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver said in a statement.
“When the summer-like weather hits, water use can increase by more than 50 per cent, and in order to complete projects like Stanley Park that increase capacity and resilience, we need to work together and bring down our water use so the system is protected while work is underway.”
Metro Vancouver says the First Narrows Crossing is anticipated to be back in service around the end of July. At that time conditions will be assessed, and Stage 3 water restrictions will be lifted if water supply allows.
Under Stage 3 restrictions:
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- All lawn watering is prohibited.
- Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered at any time using a water container, drip irrigation, or hose with spring-loaded nozzle. Sprinklers and soaker hoses are prohibited.
- Vegetable gardens can be watered at any time.
- Pools, hot tubs, and decorative water features, such as fountains, cannot be filled or topped up.
- Vehicles and boats cannot be washed at home except to clean windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and boat engines for safety. They may be washed at a water-efficient commercial car wash.
- Washing surfaces like driveways and sidewalks is prohibited except in limited circumstances.
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Metro Vancouver implemented Stage 2 water restrictions in May, and set a target to keep regional daily water use under 1.4 billion litres.
If water use exceeds that, water pressure could be affected, which could affect first responders’ ability to use water for emergencies.
In addition to project work, Metro Vancouver continues to closely monitor how the weather and snowpack are affecting water supply. Forecasts are calling for warm, dry weather, which will drive up demand.
Metro Vancouver says that the snowpack is well below normal this year, less than 15 per cent of the historical average.
Non-residential properties are subject to similar restrictions on lawn and garden watering, as well as filling and topping up decorative water features, and washing surfaces. Filling/topping up pools and hot tubs can be done with an operating permit.
Watering at golf courses and sports fields is reduced, but operators can still water to protect these private and public assets. Water play parks may operate if they have user-activated switches, Metro Vancouver stated in a release.
Water 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 the organization added.
Metro Vancouver is a socialist entity and these restrictions just another example of social engineering to control people. I ask what is Metro Vancouver doing to increase the drinking water supply since they want another million people to live here… IMO, NOTHING. The board needs to be fired starting with Dobrovolny.
Does that include fifa’s water use
As a resident and taxpayer in Vancouver; I am appalled at the current and past miss use of public funds. My home alone has a tax rate of over $ 11,000.00. We have known about our water retention deficiency for ages and have not addressed it.
Instead we built a Broadway extension underground extension leading to know where.
The need to reduce water flow through the Stanley Park part of the system should have zero impact on NS residents! There’s no logic to this.
That’s too funny, incompetent government that thinks it’s world-class your not Nevada or Arizona, you receive only two seasons spring and fall idiots.
Metro Vancouver is the most incompetent governmental organization. How many large lakes are we surrounded by? With a growing population they should be accessing more of those lakes… Look at the North Shore wastewater treatment plant that has far exceeded the budget and now caught up in a lawsuit. Of course, they punish residents for their gross incompetence by passing on the costs.
“Yellow is mellow, brown goes down” was the rallying cry during the severe California drought of the mid-1970s reducing how often toilets should be flushed in order to save water. So how about it Metro – a focus on flushing?
I really take issue with something I see constantly while driving to work with these water restrictions. While we have to adhere to these restrictions, it doesn’t seem to be the case for the cities themselves. I constantly see sprinklers going at all sorts of different times of the day. So the rules don’t apply to the cities???? While I’m all about reserving water, it should be a level playing field and that includes all cities.
Does this mean I get a rebate on my water and sewer bill because of the inability of metro Vancouver to run there business the correct way (very poor planning)