The City of Burnaby is part of the Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan (DWCP). The original plan was put in place in 1993 to manage our drinking water during the summer months. In 2017, the DWCP was amended to include further restrictions to outdoor water use which includes watering of lawns and gardens, playfields and golf courses, and the operation of commercial car washes and pools. Each stage of the water restrictions is designed to reduce demand from your drinking water and watering restrictions become more restrictive as stage levels increase. Water restrictions start automatically every year starting on May 1 until October 15.

Greater Vancouver does receive a lot of rain - but most of it falls in autumn and winter. Much of the rainfall and snowmelt in the watersheds cannot be captured for later use when dry weather comes. Summer is when Greater Vancouver uses the most water (up to 60% more than the rest of the year), receives the least amount of rain and has the least amount of water in storage.

Watering regulations provide a fair system for water use throughout the Lower Mainland, while controlling summer water demand. By taking measures to conserve water throughout the summer, we can also avoid more restrictive measures in the event of drought conditions.

Residential water use accounts for more than half of total regional water consumption. On average, residential consumption is about 350 litres (about 77 gallons) per person per day. On a hot summer day, outdoor watering of lawns and gardens can cause consumption to double.

Lawn watering regulations are in effect May 1 to October 15. Water your lawn for an hour once a week during the regulations to allow for deep watering of the roots. For more information regarding lawn care refer to the Metro Vancouver's Water Wise Lawn Care information.

Note: Mixed-use buildings with both residential and commercial units should follow Non-Residential watering times and regulations.

The City of Burnaby’s Engineering Department sells lawn watering exemption permits for newly established lawns. Please contact the Engineering Department at 604-294-7460 for more information. Permits can be applied for during Stage 1 and 2 restrictions. No exemption permits will be issued during Stage 3 or 4, however, any permits issued under Stage 2 will remain valid under Stage 3.

For residential properties, your permit can be used for a period of 21 days, Monday to Sunday, during 4:00–9:00 AM.

For commercial properties, your permit can be used for a period of 21 days, Monday to Thursday, during 1:00–6:00 AM and Friday 4:00–9:00 AM.

Your established lawn will go dormant and may turn brown during hot, dry spells. A good rainfall or cooler weather will help your lawn revive quickly. Watering lawns sparingly or not at all saves up to 17,000 litres per household over the summer months.

Excluding edible plants, watering with a sprinkler has the same time restrictions as watering your lawn. If using a handheld hose, soaker hose, water container, or drip irrigation, any day or any time is permitted

Note: Mixed-use buildings with both residential and commercial units should follow Non-Residential watering times and regulations.

» An hour a week of watering or rain is all you need for a healthy lawn with a strong root system

» Use slow release or natural fertilizers for long-lasting benefits

» A healthy, vigorous lawn crowds out weeds and reduces pest damage

» Consider natural alternatives to pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. Refer to Metro Vancouver's Water Wise Lawn Care information

Spread grass clippings or other mulch materials around the base of plants and shrubs. Applying organic matter (such as ground bark, sawdust or leaves) to soil increases its ability to hold water, and improves nutrient content. Mulch also prevents soil erosion and discourages the growth of weeds

Plant waterwise plants. By reducing lawn area or by incorporating drought-tolerant plants that need less water, gardeners can help conserve water during hot, dry summer months. Small, thick, grey or fuzzy leaves are all indicators of drought-hardy plants

Yes. Any sprinkler system that is being used to irrigate a residential or commercial lawn (other than those exempted) or flower and vegetable garden is subject to these restrictions.

They can play during the permitted days/times of lawn watering. If you run the sprinkler outside the watering regulations, you could be subject to a fine based on the current water restriction stage:
Stage 1 $150
Stage 2 $250
Stage 3 $350
Stage 4 $500

For water activities for children, it is best to visit Burnaby's Wading Pools and Push-button Spray Pads located in our parks.

Under the Drinking Water Conservation Plan (DWCP), vehicle/boat washing must be done using a hand-held hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut-off (which saves up to 23 litres of water per minute). Using a bucket of water will also help to conserve water. Under Stages 3 and 4, the outdoor washing of vehicles/boats is prohibited, except for safety (windows, lights and licenses only). Washing of vehicles/boats may not be done on a paved or hard surface, and must be done on a gravel or grass surface to ensure wash water does not enter the City's storm sewer which drains directly to local creeks.

Under stage 2 of the Drinking Water Conservation Plan (DWCP), washing of impermeable surfaces is only permitted for health and safety reasons, to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment or aesthetic cleaning by a commercial cleaning operation. Under stage 3 washing of impermeable surfaces is only permitted for health or safety reason or preparing a surface for painting or similar treatment by a commercial cleaning operation. Under stage 4, all washing of impermeable surfaces is prohibited except if ordered by a regulatory authority having jurisdiction for a health or safety reason.

Watering regulations are meant to reduce water use in ways that do not cause serious economic hardship. Those users requiring water as part of a commercial operation are expected to conserve as much water as possible without resulting in a loss of business. However, under Stage 4, all forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited.

Using less water during this period of high water demand keeps taxes down by reducing or deferring system upgrades to the water supply infrastructure, including dams, pipes and pumping stations. Construction of a new dam is costly. By being water wise, we can get a better understanding of our real water needs and help plan for future water facilities in Greater Vancouver.

Municipal water rates or fees range from about $110 to $230 a year per household, depending on where you live in Greater Vancouver. These are some of the lowest rates in any major urban centre in North America. The cost of building facilities so everyone can use all the water they want at any time would increase rates substantially. If we all use water efficiently, we can help keep costs down and Burnaby can spend tax dollars more efficiently.

This would be costly to implement and we are not yet certain if savings would outweigh the costs. A study to determine this is underway and will provide more information.

The Greater Vancouver Water District, a division of the Metro Vancouver, supplies drinking water to 18 Lower Mainland municipalities. It coordinates watering regulations to ensure consistency and a sufficient supply of water.

The legal authority for the regulations is retained within Waterworks Bylaw.

City of Burnaby Engineering Department 604-294-7460
engineering@burnaby.ca

Metro Vancouver Information Centre
Phone: 604-432-6200
www.metrovancouver.org

Recycling Council of BC
Phone (lower mainland): 604-732-9253
Phone: (throughout BC) 1-800-667-4321
www.rcbc.ca