Metro Vancouver eases water restrictions, law sprinkling permitted again

VANCOUVER – Limited lawn sprinkling is now permitted in the Vancouver area under eased water restrictions.

Metro Vancouver, the authority that governs water use for 21 local cities and municipalities, has downgraded its water restrictions to Stage 2.

The decision means residents can water their lawns once a week and wash driveways, sidewalks and parkades for health and safety purposes.

The authority says they can also water sports and sand-based playing fields to keep them in usable conditions, but public and commercial fountains must remain turned off.

Metro Vancouver enacted Stage 3 water restrictions on July 20 because drought and residents’ usage dropped reservoir levels.

It says recent heavy rains have recharged the alpine lakes that feed the reservoirs and they are now at 60 per cent capacity.