The City of Burnaby is part of the Metro Vancouver's Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) put in place in 1993 to manage our drinking water during the summer months.

In 2004, the WSRP was updated in response to summer droughts, and these changes are now being reflected in most municipal bylaws.

In 2011, to further reduce the impacts of outdoor water use on Metro Vancouver's distribution system, the Water Shortage Response Plan was amended to restrict lawn watering to mornings as this is when the least amount of water used on lawns will evaporate. If persistent drought conditions occur or there is sudden disruption in water supply from an unforeseen emergency, the WSRP could advance up to further restrictive measures, in which all watering and exterior washing is heavily restricted or banned.

The WSRP is under evaluation in 2017. The review process is occurring in two stages. First, some immediate amendments were made for summer 2016. Second, a potentially broader restructuring of the WSRP is considered for 2017. The two-phase review process accommodates timelines to amend and align related municipal bylaws. Read more on the evaluation process.

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 15 to October 15.

Under Stage 1 Restrictions:

Residential addresses
» Even-numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM
» Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Non-residential addresses
» Even-numbered addresses: Monday and Wednesday 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM
» Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM
» Both Even and Odd addresses: Friday 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Combined mixed-use addresses (e.g. residential and commercial), follow “non-residential” watering times

The City of Burnaby’s Engineering Department sells lawn watering 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 restrictions, however, any permits issued under Stage 2 will remain valid under Stage 3.   

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.

In Stages 1 and 2 of the WSRP, gardens, shrubs, trees and flower beds can be watered at any time. Under Stage 3, watering of vegetation must be done by hand using containers or a hand-held hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut-off. Under Stage 4, all forms of watering using drinking water are prohibited. The City of Burnaby encourages t he use of rain barrels to help in garden irrigation. Residents can purchase rain barrels for $70 at the City's Eco-Centre located at 4855 Still Creek Avenue.

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.

Yes, during allowed watering days/hours. If you run your sprinkler outside allowable days/times, you could be subject to a fine in Burnaby based on the current stage of the Water Shortage Response Plan.
Stage 1 $150
Stage 2 $250
Stage 3 $350
Stage 4 $500

Under Stages 1 and 2 of the WSRP, vehicle washing is discouraged and 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. Stages 3 and 4, the outdoor washing of vehicles is prohibited, except for safety (windows, lights and licenses only). Washing of vehicles 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. Commercial car washes are also shut down in Stage 4. All vehicles should be washed on a gravel or grass surface to avoid soapy water from going down the storm sewer, which drain into local creeks. Allowing the hose to run continuously while you are washing your vehicle is not permitted.

Exterior washing of any surface is discouraged under Stage 1. Under stages 2 and 3 of the WSRP, outdoor surface washing is only permitted for health and safety reasons, or to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment. Washing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited under these stages. Under stage 4, all washing is prohibited. These restrictions also apply to private and commercial pressure washing, except if allowed by order of a regulatory authority for health and safety reasons.

Under Stage 1, parks and playing fields may be watered because these areas are often too large to be effectively irrigated within the allowed watering times. Also, most playing fields are built on a sand base for better drainage. Turf grown on a sand base can die if not watered. Due to the high replacement costs of playing fields, the City of Burnaby believes it is a poor use of public money to let it die because of lack of watering. However, under Stages 2 and 3 of the WSRP, groundskeepers are required to use a minimum level of water to maintain these areas in a useable condition. Under Stage 4, all forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited.

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.bc.ca