Water Restrictions & Conservation

Sprinkling is permitted for even house numbers on even-numbered dates and odd house numbers on odd-numbered dates within the prescribed hours of the day.

Note: Water use restrictions are in effect 365 days a year. The fine for sprinkling violators is $100.00.

Western Acres

• No sprinkling from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• This includes properties abutting: Cinch Loop, Hartman Road, Cantle Drive, Corral Road, and Western Road, and the frontage road north of Highway 16 West, from the 8100 block of Highway 16 West to the city's western boundary.

All other areas

• No sprinkling from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

If you feel you have a special circumstance regarding water use, you can apply online for an exemption to restrictions or call: 250-561-7550.

• Apply online for a water use restriction exemption

• Lawns require about 2.5 centimetres of water per week. This takes about a half hour of sprinkling, twice a week, on your designated sprinkling day.
• Establishing a new lawn requires three weeks of sprinkling, and it is important to ensure topsoil is put under your sod to retain water.
• Remember that less watering promotes deeper, healthier lawn roots.
• Minimize water evaporation, mould, and fungus by watering in the mornings or evenings. Evaporation is greatest between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and can result in 50 per cent of water not even reaching your lawn.
• Avoid watering on windy days.
• Aerate lawns to allow air, water, and fertilizer to reach the roots.
• Make sure automatic irrigation systems are set within the permitted times. Turn the timer off when it rains and reset it afterwards.
• Remember lawns stay moist when it is cut five (5) to seven and a half (7.5) centimetres in length. Tall grass shades and cools the soil, grows at a slower rate, and requires less mowing.
• Make sure that paved areas and sidewalks are not watered.

• Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, washing hands, washing dishes or shaving.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
• When washing dishes by hand, use a sink half full of rinse water rather than letting the water run.
• Keep a jug of drinking water in the fridge to keep it cool, instead of running the tap.
• Use a lid when boiling water on the stove to prevent water loss through evaporation.
• Water houseplants and gardens with cooled cooking water or vegetable and fruit rinse water.
• Limit showers to five minutes.

Reduce water use in the bathroom by:

• Installing faucet aerators.
• Replacing old shower heads with low-flow models. This can save 10 litres of water per minute.
• Replacing old toilets with a low-flow six-litre flush model to reduce overall water consumption by 20 per cent.
• Fix leaks as soon as they're found. Leaky taps and toilets cost money.

Benefits of rain barrels

• Rainwater is free.
• Rainwater is better for lawns and gardens as it is not treated with chlorine.
• Using rainwater reduces demand on stormwater systems
• Stored rainwater is warmer and will not shock plants or lawns
• Pumping is not required so there are no electricity costs
• Setup is easy and little maintenance is required

Rain barrels can be purchased at many garden supply centres and through the Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society.

• Visit the Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society website

• Use a spring-loaded nozzle when washing vehicles.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• Put a layer of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs to retain moisture and reduce weed growth.
• Plant draft-resistant trees and plants.