North Shore gardeners have been told they can turn on the tap again — a little bit.
Metro Vancouver’s water managers announced this week the region is returning to Stage 2 watering restrictions, which allow sprinkling once a week.
The change was made in response to recent rain storms that topped up the reservoirs and falling water consumption.
For the past week, reservoirs have remained at 60 per cent full, which is normal for this time of year.
A sprinkling ban had previously been in place across the Lower Mainland since July 20. Under a return to Stage 2, both North Vancouver and West Vancouver residents will be allowed to sprinkle once a week, in the morning only.
Even-numbered homes may water their lawn between 4-9 a.m. on Monday, and odd-numbered addresses may water between 4-9 a.m. on Thursday.
For non-residential properties, sprinkling is allowed for even-numbered addresses between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Wednesday, and odd-numbered addresses may water lawns between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
Municipal parks must also follow the once-weekly lawn sprinkling times.
Recent rain also topped up West Vancouver’s Eagle Lake water supply to near-normal levels.
Regional water managers will continue to monitor water levels and may relax sprinkling restrictions further later in the month.
The regional government plans to examine its response to the water shortage this fall and discuss possible policy changes.
