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.

  1. Stage 1 Restrictions
  2. Stage 2 Restrictions
  3. Stage 3 Restrictions
  4. Stage 4 Restrictions

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.

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.

  1. Fire-risk Rating

    Fire Risk Rating Gauge. Current level is high.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 “HIGH”

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.