Metro Vancouver is transitioning from Stage 3 to Stage 2 water restrictions this week, bringing changes for residents in the region.
For residents, this shift means a slight relaxation in water usage rules. Under Stage 2, you are allowed to use a sprinkler for watering trees, shrubs, or flowers between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., or use a soaker hose at any time. However, it’s important to note that watering lawns is still not permitted.
Additionally, with the move to Stage 2, you can now wash vehicles and boats, expanding from the limited cleaning allowed during Stage 3 which only permitted cleaning of certain areas like windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and boat engines.
The implementation of Stage 3 restrictions in early June was prompted by various factors straining the region’s water system, such as dry weather conditions, low snowpack, and predictions of a dry summer. A significant contributor to the strain was the maintenance work on the First Narrows Crossing, a crucial conduit for transporting drinking water from the North Shore mountains into Metro Vancouver’s water network. Metro Vancouver has confirmed that the maintenance work on the crossing has been successfully completed.
The Stage 2 water restrictions will come into effect starting Thursday. For more details on what these new restrictions entail, please refer to the regional district’s website.
Keyphrase: Metro Vancouver water restrictions