The GVRD's four-stage Water Shortage Response Plan has recently been updated and implemented by Burnaby and other Lower Mainland municipalities. These measures are being taken to conserve our water supply so that adequate amounts are available to all for basic needs. For instance, basic lawn sprinkling restrictions are in effect June 1 to September 30. For more information about the sprinkling regulations and for answers to some of your questions, please refer to the attached list of questions and answers.
The City of Burnaby is currently at stage one restrictions of the Water Shortage Response Plan. Please click here - [PDF 92KB] to view all stages of the Water Shortage Response Plan.
With warmer weather, there is generally an increase inuse of water which can put a strain on our water reservoirs. So it's time to get water wise. Water conservation can start now and will help to ensure that we have enough drinking water when demand is high and rainfall is low. As the sprinkling restrictions are once again in effect (June 1 to September 30). Read on to find out when, why and how to use water wisely all summer long.
This page answers the following questions:
The City of Burnaby is part of the GVRD'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. 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.
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.
Sprinkling 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.
The WSRP takes effect June 1. Under Stage 1, even-numbered residences can sprinkle on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while odd-numbered residences can sprinkle on Thursdays and Sundays. Sprinkling is permitted between 4 AM to 9 AM and between 7 PM and 10 PM only. Under Stage 2, even-numbered addresses can sprinkle on Wednesdays and odd-numbered addresses can sprinkle on Thursdays, between 4 AM to 9 AM and between 7 PM and 10 PM only. Under Stages 1 and 2, newly turfed lawns can be watered in "off" times with a permit from the City of Burnaby's Department of Engineering. Under Stages 3 and 4, all forms of watering using drinking water are prohibited. The City of Burnaby encourages the use of rain barrels to help in garden irrigation.
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 new 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 the use of rain barrels to help in garden irrigation.
- Most lawns only need about 2.5 centimetres (depth of a tuna can) of water a week, which can easily be applied by sprinkling once a week. Over watering can promote lawn disease and leach nutrients from the soil.
- Sprinkling early in the morning is best because less water is lost to evaporation.
- Aerate your lawn twice throughout the summer and leave grass clippings on the lawn after you mow. Clippings break down and provide your lawn with 25 per cent of its nitrogen needs.
- Use low 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 Burnaby's Let it Grow, Naturally! information guide on natural lawn care.)
- 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.
Children should be encouraged to play in the sprinkler only while it's being used to water the lawn. Under Stage 1, even-numbered residences can operate their sprinklers on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while odd-numbered residences can operate their sprinklers on Thursdays and Sundays. Sprinkling is permitted between 4 AM to 9 AM and between 7 PM and 10 PM only. Under Stage 2, even-numbered addresses can operate their sprinklers on Wednesdays and odd-numbered addresses can operate their sprinklers on Thursdays, between 4 AM to 9 AM and between 7 PM and 10 PM only. Under Stages 3 and 4, all sprinkler uses are prohibited.
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. Allowing the hose to run continuously while you are washing your vehicle is not permitted. Under Stages 3 and 4, the outdoor washing of vehicles is prohibited, except for safety (windows, lights and licenses only). Commercial car washes are also shut down in Stage 4.
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 sprinkled because these areas are often too large to be effectively irrigated within the allowed sprinkling 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.
Sprinkling 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 GVRD, supplies drinking water to 18 Lower Mainland municipalities. It coordinates sprinkling regulations to ensure consistency and a sufficient supply of water.
The legal authority for the regulations is retained within Waterworks Bylaw - [BURNABY VIEWS].
Simply by trying to use less water, you will contribute to the water conservation solution. There are many strategies that can reduce consumption. Here are just a few.
- Purchase a rain barrel or water conservation kit from the City of Burnaby. Click here for more information.
- Spring-loaded garden hose nozzles save 23 litres per minute
- Full loads and shorter cycles in the laundry room save 95 litres per load
- Low-flow toilets save six to 14 litres per flush
- Toilet inserts save up to 100 litres per day
- Aerator and flow restrictors on the kitchen tap save up to 20 litres per day
- Fixed leaks in kitchen and bathroom taps save 47 litres per day
For more information on watering restrictions or water conservation tips, please contact:
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