Watering Restrictions

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Stage 1 Lawn Watering Regulations are in Effect May 1 to October 15

Region-wide water use restrictions are in effect May 1 through October 15 every year. Stage 1 Restrictions are activated starting May 1.

Water restrictions are part of the regional Drinking Water Conservation Plan set by Metro Vancouver. 

For more information on water treatment and supply, water conservation and reservoir levels, please visit the Metro Vancouver website.

Compliance & Enforcement

Beginning May 1, City staff will educate and drop off notices when they observe people who are not in compliance with the current watering restrictions. 

Watering that is not compliant to the water use restrictions could result in a fine between $250 to $1000 per offence, depending on the stage under the City of Maple Ridge Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 7425-2018.

To file a complaint, please contact the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department at 604-467-7305 or email bylaws@mapleridge.ca

Bylaw Notices can be mailed out to property owners and do not need to be personally served.  

To file a complaint, please contact the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department at 604-467-7305 or email at bylaws@mapleridge.ca 

Stage 1 Water Restrictions

Can I water today? (effective May 1 to October 15)

Use this search tool provided by Metro Vancouver to check if you can water today or view Drinking Water Conservation Plan - Summary

Even-numbered addresses - Saturdays

  • Automatic Watering permitted 5 – 7 a.m. 
  • Manual Watering permitted 6 - 9 a.m.

Odd-numbered addresses - Sundays

  • Automatic Watering permitted 5 – 7 a.m. 
  • Manual Watering permitted 6 - 9 a.m.

Residential Gardens, Shrubs, Trees, Planters - All Addresses

  • 5 – 9 a.m. on any day using hose-fed sprinkler systems and irrigation systems 
  • Anytime, any day using drip irrigation and soaker hose systems 
  • Anytime, any day when hand watering (e.g. hose with shut-off nozzle, water container) 
  • No restrictions on plants grown for food

Non-residential Addresses - Lawn Watering 

Even-numbered addresses - Mondays 

  • Automatic Watering permitted 4 – 6 a.m. 
  • Manual Watering permitted 6 - 9 a.m. 

Odd-numbered addresses - Tuesdays

  • Automatic Watering permitted 4 – 6 a.m. 
  • Manual Watering permitted 6 - 9 a.m.

Non-residential Gardens, Shrubs, Trees and Planters - All Addresses

  • 4 – 9 a.m. on any day using hose-fed sprinkler systems and irrigation systems 
  • Anytime, any day using drip irrigation and soaker hose systems 
  • Anytime, any day when hand watering (e.g. hose with shut-off nozzle, water container) 
  • No restrictions on plants grown for food

Residential Car and Boat Washing

Hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle. 

Outdoor Surfaces and Power Washing 

Hoses must be equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Power washing is permitted. Tip: Consider sweeping instead of using water to wash outdoor surfaces. 

Decorative Water Features, Pools and Hot Tubs

  • There are no restrictions. Tip: Fill up pools and hot tubs before the restrictions start on May 1. Cover them when they are not used to prevent evaporation and to keep it clean.  

Water restrictions are part of the regional Drinking Water Conservation Plan (DWCP) set by Metro Vancouver.

Lawn Watering Permit Regulations

Newly turfed or seeded lawns may be watered more frequently, provided a Lawn Watering Permit was first obtained from the Engineering Department, with proof of seed/sod purchase. More information is available HERE

Conservation

Did You Know Our Summers Can Be Long and Dry?

  • It rains a lot in metro Vancouver; however, there is typically little precipitation during the summer months - just when the demand for water is the highest.
  • Conserving water helps to ensure that water stored in local reservoirs is sufficient to meet regional demands during the summer and early fall.
  • For more information on reservoir levels, visit Metro Vancouver's Reservoir Levels website.

The City of Maple Ridge Has Taken Several Actions to Conserve Water:

  • Having installed low-flow shower heads, motion-detection sink faucets, low-flow urinals and high-efficiency toilets in City-owned buildings such as Municipal Hall, Leisure Centre, Randy Herman Building and Fire Halls.
  • Only flushing watermains between October and May to limit water use during peak summertime demand periods.
  • Parks & Facilities installed a centralized irrigation system in 2013 that makes it practical to save water by modifying field and streetscape watering schedules in response to rainfall events.
  • Offering a $50 utility tax credit to homeowners who replace their older toilet with a new low-flow toilet. 

Watering Regulations