As the weather gets warmer and the days start to get longer, the city’s lawn watering regulations are now in effect.
As of May 1, Richmond has entered stage one of its four-stage drinking water conservation plan. The water restrictions help make sure there is enough drinking water until the rainy fall season.
Lawn water restrictions in Richmond from May 1 to Oct. 15 are as follows:
Residential lawn watering allowed:
- Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday mornings 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday mornings 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Non-Residential lawn watering allowed:
- Even-numbered addresses: Monday mornings 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. and Friday mornings 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday mornings 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. and Friday mornings 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Trees, shrubs, hedges, decorative planters and flowers and edible plants
- Permitted any day, from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. (residential) and 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. (non-residential) if using a sprinkler time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
- Edible plants can be watered anytime.
According to the city, the evening hours is when water demand is the highest for domestic uses such as preparing dinner, dishwashing, laundry and showers. Therefore, early morning lawn-watering time slots will help balance out the water system demand.
All water restrictions only apply to drinking and tap water, not rainwater, recycled water or grey water such as wastewater from baths, sinks or washing machines.
Richmond’s water restrictions are part of Metro Vancouver’s drinking water conservation plan and cities across the region have the same regulations in place.
Residents can still use water to wash their vehicles or driveways but are reminded to limit their non-priority water usage during the water restrictions.
Restrictions for those water uses are at later stages.
