COQUITLAM, B.C., April 26, 2023 – Regional Stage 1 water use restrictions are in place starting May 1 and will run until October 15.
The City of Coquitlam supports the regional water restrictions to help ensure residents have 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 extended if the region experiences prolonged drought as it did in 2022.
One Day of Watering Per Week in Stage 1
Stage 1 Watering Restrictions, lawns are limited to watering one day per week for both residential and non-residential properties.
- Residential lawn watering is permitted on Saturdays for even-numbered addresses, Sundays for odd. Automatic lawn watering is permitted from 5 to 7 a.m., manual watering from 6 to 9 a.m. on your assigned day.
- Permitted times for non-residential premises are on Mondays for even-numbered addresses and, Tuesdays for odd-numbered address. Automatic watering is 4 to 6 a.m., and manual watering 6 to 9 a.m. on your assigned day.
Additional restrictions are imposed in Stages 2 – 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 Exemption Permits
Water Exemption Permits are available for properties installing new lawns or applying nematode treatments. Both permits allow watering between 4 and 9 a.m., any day.
Visit coquitlam.ca/WaterPermit for information and for online applications.
Many Ways to Conserve Water
There are many ways to reduce the amount of drinking water we use in daily activities such as gardening, washing cars and cleaning driveways.
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).
Water Conservation Tips
- One hour a week of watering or rain is all you need for a healthy lawn.
- 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.
- Check out Metro Vancouver's Grow Green Guide or ask a local garden centre about planting native and drought-tolerant species.
- Consider sweeping instead of using water to wash outdoor surfaces.
- Wash your vehicle using a bucket of water and make sure the hose is fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
- Switch out your 13-litre water wasting toilet with an efficient model and receive a Toilet Replacement Tax Credit Rebate. Visit coquitlam.ca/ToiletRebate for details.
- Fill up pools and hot tubs before the restrictions start on May 1, and cover them when they are not in use to prevent evaporation and to keep them clean.
Visit the City’s water conservation webpage coquitlam.ca/H20 for details on low-cost rain barrels and electronic water timers, to stay up-to-date on water restrictions and to get more information on water conservation measures.
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.
Media contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
604-927-3500
waterconservation@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.