Stage 2 Water Restrictions Activated to Conserve Drinking Water
The City of Surrey is advising residents that Metro Vancouver is activating Stage 2 Water Restrictions effective Aug 4, 2023 across the region.
Surrey, BC – The City of Surrey is advising residents that Metro Vancouver is activating Stage 2 Water Restrictions effective Aug. 4, 2023 across the region. The move to Stage 2 is necessary due to continued high water usage in the region combined with dry, hot weather in the forecast. The City of Surrey will be strictly enforcing the Stage 2 Restrictions when they take effect, including issuing tickets of up to $300 for unauthorized watering.
What is Banned in Stage 2:
- Watering of all residential and non-residential lawns or grass boulevards.
- Topping up or filling ornamental fountains and/or water features.
What is Allowed during Stage 2:
- Watering trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetable gardens by hand or using soaker hoses or drip irrigation at any time, or by using a sprinkler between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. any day;
- Washing of impermeable/hard surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks if the hose is equipped with an automatic shut-off device;
- Reduction of the watering of some sports fields and golf course fairways; and
- Water play parks may operate if they have user-activated switches.
Metro Vancouver typically delivers one billion litres of treated drinking water each day, however, that number can increase by more than 50 per cent during the summer, largely due to lawn watering and other outdoor uses. Since the beginning of May, Metro Vancouver reports that water consumption across the region has been about 20 per cent higher than last year, with residents using more water daily compared to 2022.
Click here to learn more about seasonal water restrictions in Surrey.