- Home
- Your Government
- City Departments
- Engineering & Public Works
- Water
- Water Conservation
- Water Use Restrictions & Regulations
Water Use Restrictions
During the summer our water use can double mainly due to outdoor uses such as watering lawns and gardens, and washing cars and outdoor surfaces. Region-wide water use restrictions go into effect May 1 every year and are a cost-effective way to reduce summer water demand and ensure a sufficient supply for essential services such as firefighting and maintaining adequate water pressure for homes, schools and businesses.
These water use restrictions also help Coquitlam adapt to climate change and defer the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. Learn more about our commitment towards environmental resiliency and sustainability in the Environmental Sustainability Plan. Find out how our community manages with climate change impacts in the Climate Adaptation Strategic Plan (PDF).
From Reservoir to Tap
Enjoy this guided story that shows the journey water takes, and all the steps and people involved to deliver safe and reliable water to our residents and businesses.
Time Frame and Stage
Region-wide water use restrictions are in effect from May 1 through October 15 every year. By default, Stage 1 Restrictions are activated starting on May 1. Watering that is not compliant to the water use restrictions could result in a $150 to $500 fine under the Drinking Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 4838, 2018.
Water Conservation Related Gardening Workshops
The City offers a number of water-conservation related workshops at its Inspiration Garden in Town Centre Park. You can view the programs and sign-up online via our registration portal (for the best online registration experience, please use Google Chrome). Click on the Gardening category at this link for details on each workshop, or enter the course ID number.
Upcoming Workshops
There are no upcoming workshops at this time.
Automatic Watering
- Automatic watering is applying water using an automated water-delivery system that requires minimal human intervention or supervision.
- Automatic watering usually uses mechanical, electronic, or other components and devices such as timers, sensors, computers, or mechanical appliances.
- An automated irrigation system is an example of automatic watering.
Manual Watering
- Manual watering is applying water using a manually-held or operated device by a person.
- An example of manual watering is if once a week during the permitted time, a resident puts a sprinkler on their lawn, goes to their home’s outdoor tap, turns the water on for one hour, then returns to the tap and turns it off.
Residential Addresses - Lawn Watering
- 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 and 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.
Rain Water and Grey Water
Watering restrictions do not apply to the use of rainwater, grey water, any forms of recycled water, or other sources of water outside the regional and municipal drinking water supply system. The BC Building Code specifies the allowable uses for grey water and the requirements for a grey water system to comply.
Residents wishing to install a grey water irrigation system should contact the plumbing department to apply for a plumbing system permit, and they may also be required to install a water meter and should contact the Utilities department to get a quote for installation.
The BC Building Code also specifies requirements for use of rainwater:
- If you connect a rain barrel to a pump, sprinkler or any source of water other than the roof, you will need to apply for a Plumbing Permit.
- If you use a rain barrel to collect water from your roof to feed a gravity-fed drip irrigation system or to fill watering cans, no Plumbing Permit is required.
Residential and Non-residential - All Addresses
Lawn Watering
- Lawn watering is prohibited
- Active water exemption permits remain in effect until they expire
- New water exemption permits will not be issued.
Residential Gardens, Shrubs, Trees and 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 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
Hose must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
Outdoor Surfaces and Power Washing
Permitted only for health and safety reasons or to prepare for painting/sealing. Washing must be done by a commercial company. Tip: Consider sweeping instead of using water to wash outdoor surfaces.
Decorative Water Features, Pools & Hot Tubs
Topping up or filling of fountains and decorative water features is prohibited. 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.
Residential and Non-residential - All Addresses Lawn Watering
- Lawn watering is prohibited
- All active water exemption permits are cancelled
- New water exemption permits will not be issued.
Residential and Non-residential Gardens, Shrubs, Trees and Planters - All Addresses
- Watering using hose-fed sprinkler, irrigation and soaker hose systems are prohibited
- Anytime, any day using drip irrigation system
- Anytime, any day when hand watering (e.g. hose with shut-off nozzle, water container)
Residential and Non-residential Car and Boat Washing
Only the washing of window, lights, mirrors, license plates and boat engines is permitted, for the safe operation of vehicles. Commercial vehicle wash facilities are prohibited to operate unless the facility:
- Has an automatic vehicle wash system installed before November 1, 2017 and is operating on a basic wash and rinse cycle only
- Has an automatic vehicle wash system installed after November 1, 2017 and is using a water recycling system with minimum 60% water recovery rate over the full wash cycle
- Is a hand wash and self-service facility using high-pressure wands or brushes that have a maximum flow rate of 11.4 litres per minute
Outdoor Surfaces and Power Washing
Permitted only for health and safety reasons or to prepare for painting/sealing. Washing must be done by a commercial company. Tip: Consider sweeping instead of using water to wash outdoor surfaces.
Decorative Water Features, Pools & Hot Tubs
Topping up or filling of fountains and decorative water features is prohibited. Only pool and hot tubs with a valid permit issued by the local health and safety authority are permitted to operate.
Residential & Non-residential - All Addresses
- Lawn watering is prohibited
Residential and Non-residential Gardens, Shrubs, Trees & Planters - All Addresses
- Watering of gardens, shrubs, trees and planters is prohibited
Residential and Non-residential Car and Boat Washing
Only the washing of window, lights, mirrors, license plates and boat engines is permitted, for the safe operation of vehicles. Commercial vehicle wash facilities are prohibited to operate.
Outdoor Surfaces and Power Washing
Prohibited except if ordered by a local regulatory authority for health and safety reasons.
Decorative Water Features, Pools & Hot Tubs
Topping up or filling is prohibited.
Drinking Water Conservation Plan
For a full list of water use restrictions for homes, businesses, governments and schools, refer to Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan Summary.
-
Fire-risk Rating
It's always important to keep an eye on and be aware of the local fire-risk rating as there are a number of changes and impacts to residents when it increases such as barbeque bans in our parks or the relaxation of watering restrictions in areas adjacent to heavily wooded/forested areas such as Mundy Park the northern forested boundary of the city.
The current fire risk is “MODERATE”
When the fire risk rating is in the “Extreme” range for three or more consecutive days, certain residential and business properties identified as extreme risk located immediately adjacent to Mundy Park and along the northern forested boundary of the City are eligible for a relaxation of summertime watering restrictions.
Please visit our summer fire safety webpage for fire safety tips and water-restriction relaxation details including an Exempt Properties List that is updated every year. Find out how to keep your home safe from wildland fires by visiting our webpage on Wildland/Urban Interface Areas.