Metro Vancouver has moved the region to Stage 3 water restrictions, effective June 8, as dry weather, low snowpack and reduced regional water system capacity continue to put pressure on drinking water supply.
COQUITLAM, B.C., June 3, 2026 – Metro Vancouver has moved the region to Stage 3 water restrictions, effective June 8, as dry weather, low snowpack and reduced regional water system capacity continue to put pressure on drinking water supply.
The move follows Metro Vancouver’s earlier implementation of Stage 2 restrictions on May 1. While lawn watering has already been prohibited since then, Stage 3 introduces additional limits on outdoor water use to help ensure enough water is available for essential household needs, firefighting and emergency response throughout the summer, when demand for drinking water nearly doubles.
Stage 3 Restrictions
The following restrictions will be coming into effect on June 8 as Stage 3 is activated:
- Lawn watering is prohibited.
- Watering of trees, shrubs, and inedible flowers/plants using hose-fed sprinkler, irrigation and soaker hose systems are prohibited.
- Drip irrigation systems are allowed anytime, any day, as well as hand watering (e.g. hose with shut-off nozzle, water container) is allowed, anytime, any day.
- Watering of edible plants is permitted at any time.
- Outdoor surfaces and power washing is permitted only for health and safety reasons, to prepare for painting/sealing, or when performed by a commercial cleaning service.
- Topping up or filling of fountains and decorative water features is prohibited.
- Only pool and hot tubs with a valid permit issued by the local health and safety authority are allowed to operate.
- Vehicle washing is only allowed for the purpose of safe operation (to clean windows, mirrors, lights, licence plates, or boat engines) or at water-efficient commercial vehicle washing facilities.
Water Exemption Permits
- No new permits for watering new lawns or lawns being treated for the European Chafer Beetle will be granted in Stage 3. All water exemption permits are cancelled. Visit coquitlam.ca/WaterPermit for details.
The City of Coquitlam will continue to enforce regional water restrictions. Residents are encouraged to review the full restrictions and learn more about water conservation at coquitlam.ca/H2O.
Many Ways to Conserve Water
There are many ways to reduce the amount of drinking water we use in daily activities and the City offers residents low-cost rain barrels that collect and store rainwater to use on gardens, lawns and hanging baskets, as well as programmable, electronic watering timers. Visit coquitlam.ca/WaterWise for tips and tools.
Conservation for Future Generations
Coquitlam’s water conservation program has been in effect since 1993. It delivers public outreach and education, including updates on 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 average summertime consumption over the next 10 years while also recognizing and embracing positive population growth.
Media contact
Julie Kanya
Environmental Education and Enforcement Manager
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.