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How to thrive in a Vancouver drought
Locals who have the good sense to use their grey water or captured rain water to keep their gardens green and lush may have to post a sign explaining their environmentally savvy system to watering vigilantes.
Green vegetation is not necessarily the result of treated drinking water from one of our depleted reservoirs; it could — and in many cases should — be nurtured by second-use household water.
A grey water system may be as simple as washing dishes in a dishpan, then tossing the rinse water onto plants. Rain water catchment is still a novelty in the city but all the climate statistics show that the day may come when all households with have access to gutters will need to install a rain barrel to save all that rain for a sunny day.
For the convenience of those who are confused over what can be watered with the city's supply of treated drinking water, check out this chart from the City of Vancouver's own website:
Current water restrictions: Stage 3
Activity | Restrictions |
Residential lawn sprinkling | All forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited. |
Non-Residential lawn sprinkling | All forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited. |
New (unestablished) residential and commercial lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers | No new permits issued or renewed. All forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited. |
Flowers and vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs, and trees | Only if done by hand using a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle, or using containers or drip irrigation. Use of sprinklers or soaker hoses is prohibited. |
Commercial flowers and vegetable gardens | No restrictions |
Private pools, spas, and garden ponds | Refilling is prohibited. |
Public water play parks, and pools | Unless otherwise authorized by municipality, only water play parks with user-activated switches will be operated. |
Public and commercial fountains and water features | All shut down. |
Private and commercial outdoor impermeable surface washing (such as, driveways, sidewalks, and parkades) | Only for health and safety purposes or to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment. Washing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited. |
Private and commercial pressure washing | Only for health and safety purposes or to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment. Washing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited. Private pressure washing prohibited. |
Outdoor car washing and boat washing | No outdoor washing or rinsing of vehicles and pleasure crafts, except for safety (windows, lights, and licenses only). |
Commercial car washes | No restrictions |
Golf courses | Water greens and tee areas minimally; fairways may not be watered. |
Commercial turf farms | No restrictions |
Artificial turf and outdoor tracks (such as, bicycle and motorcycle tracks, running tracks) | Hosing for health and safety only. |
School yards, sports, and sand-based playing fields | Minimum levels required to maintain areas in useable condition. |
Cemetery lawns | All forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited. |
Municipal parks | All forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited. |
Municipal ornamental lawns and grassed boulevards | All forms of watering using treated drinking water are prohibited. |
Municipal hydrant flushing | Only for unscheduled safety or public health reasons. Routine flushing to be scheduled after restrictions are lifted. |
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