COQUITLAM, B.C., April 16, 2024 – The City of Coquitlam is reminding residents that regional stage 1 water use restrictions will be in effect May 1 until October 15.
Regional water restrictions help ensure an adequate supply of water for critical uses such as drinking and firefighting during the dry summer months when water usage almost doubles. Restrictions could be escalated above stage 1 or be extended if the region experiences prolonged drought, or if there is excessive outdoor water use in the coming months.
2024 is anticipated to be a challenging year, and in addition to the annual regional restrictions, the Province is taking early actions to prepare for anticipated drought conditions and impacts including increased wildfires.
One Morning of Watering Per Week in Stage 1
In stage 1 watering restrictions, lawns are limited to watering one morning per week for both residential and non-residential properties.
- Residential lawn watering
- Saturdays for even-numbered addresses
- Sundays for odd-numbered addresses
- Automatic watering is permitted from 5 to 7 a.m. on assigned day
- Manual watering is permitted from 6 to 9 a.m. on assigned day
- Non-residential lawn watering
- Mondays for even-numbered addresses
- Tuesdays for odd-numbered address
- Automatic watering is permitted from 4 to 6 a.m. on assigned day
- Manual watering is permitted from 6 to 9 a.m. on assigned day
Additional restrictions are imposed in stages 2 through 4. Watering outside permitted times could result in a $150 to $500 fine under Coquitlam’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan (DWCP) Bylaw No. 4838, 2018.
Water Conservation Tips
There are many ways to reduce the amount of water used in daily activities such as gardening, washing cars and cleaning driveways to help conserve water during the summer and year-round.
- The City offers residents low-cost rain barrels ($73 for 208 litre) that collect and store rainwater to use on gardens, lawns and hanging baskets, as well as programmable, electronic watering timers ($55) – details at coquitlam.ca/WaterWise.
- Consider planting drought-resistant materials such as micro clover as an alternative to sod, or planting sod early in the season to minimize demand of water. Check out Metro Vancouver's Grow Green Guide or ask a local garden centre about planting native and drought-tolerant species.
- Clean and fill pools and hot tubs in April before the watering restrictions go into effect and before the hot summer months when water reserves are even lower. To minimize evaporation, use a pool cover when not in use to keep it clear of debris helping to reduce the frequency of cleaning and the need to refill.
- A healthy lawn only needs watering one morning a week. Let your lawn turn gold in the summer. Grasses naturally go dormant during the hot, dry summer and will turn green again in the fall when heavy dews and rain return.
- Mow your lawn about 6 cm high and leave the grass clippings on the lawn to keep it cool and moist.
- Clean driveways by sweeping with a broom instead of using water.
- Wash your vehicle using a bucket of water and make sure the hose is fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
Visit the City’s water conservation webpage coquitlam.ca/H20, to stay up-to-date on water restrictions and to get more information on water conservation measures.
Water Exemption Permits
Water Exemption Permits are available for properties installing new lawns or applying nematode treatments as long as watering bans are not in place. Residents should consider planting new lawns in the spring or fall and not in the heat of the summer when watering bans are likely. Visit coquitlam.ca/WaterPermit for information and for online applications.
Conservation for Future Generations
Coquitlam has had a water conservation program since 1993 that delivers public outreach and education, and includes the updated region-wide restrictions. These initiatives are a cost-effective way to manage our water demand and align with the City’s Environmental Sustainability Plan and Enhanced Water Conservation Strategy, which are focused on conserving and protecting Coquitlam’s drinking water. Tighter restrictions help the City work towards a target of no net increase in the average summer time consumption over the next 10 years while enabling robust population growth.
Media contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.