A region-wide ban on lawn sprinkling during summer evenings is now in effect.
A recent press release from Metro Vancouver noted morningsonly lawn sprinkling regulations adopted by all municipalities in Metro Vancouver will help the regional district deliver enough water throughout the region during peak demand periods.
The demand for water doubles during the hottest days of summer, to as much as two billion litres of water a day, stated the release. Currently, there are no watering restrictions for flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees.
From June 1 to Sept. 30, lawn sprinkling is only permitted before 9 a.m. in the morning. Even-numbered residential addresses may sprinkle lawns Monday, Wednesday or Saturday mornings between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. Odd-numbered residential addresses may sprinkle lawns on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday mornings, between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. In other words, residents have three opportunities a week to water their lawn.
However, Metro Vancouver recommends that residents water their lawns a maximum of just one hour a week. Board chairman Greg Moore is quoted in the release as saying residents only need to water a lawn one hour a week to keep it healthy.
The release also notes Darrell Mussatto, chairman of Metro Vancouver's utilities committee, said morning-only lawn sprinkling will help reduce the demand for water during evenings. Lawn sprinkling is no longer permitted during evenings when the demand for water for dishwashers, clothes washing, showers and other domestic uses is at its daily peak.
The following are some tips to minimize the quantity of water that's wasted on lawns:
- A healthy lawn only needs to be watered for one hour, once a week or less if it rains.
- Most lawns only need 2.5 centimetres or one inch of water each week.
- Put an empty tuna can out on the lawn when you sprinkle. Turn off the sprinkler when the tuna can is full of water.
- Water lawns and gardens early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn. This reduces evaporation and the need to water your lawn.
- Replace lawns with ornamental grasses and other droughtresistant plants that require little or no watering.
- Some residents are choosing to let their lawn go dormant during the summer. When it rains again, a yellow lawn "greens up" after a few days of cloudy, wet weather.
Many municipalities offer useful outdoor and indoor water conservation kits. Contact your municipality to purchase one. More information is available on the regional district's website at www. metrovancouver.org.
