Stage 1 water restrictions are now in effect in Abbotsford. Seasonal restrictions on outdoor water use help conserve limited water supplies through the hottest and driest time of the year when demands are highest, ensuring that drinking water is available when it is needed most.
During Stage 1 water restrictions, all lawn watering is limited to once per week, with the permitted day and time depending on user type, address and watering method. For residents, lawn watering is permitted at even-numbered addresses on Saturdays and at odd-numbered addresses on Sundays, with automatic watering permitted between 5 and 7 a.m. and manual watering between 6 and 9 a.m. For non-residential and mixed-use users, lawn watering is permitted at even-numbered addresses on Mondays and at odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays, with automatic watering permitted between 4 and 6 a.m. and manual watering between 6 and 9 a.m. Newly installed lawns (sod or seeded) require a sprinkling permit to water outside permitted days and times. Permits may be obtained from City Hall.
Trees, shrubs and decorative gardens may be watered daily before 9 a.m. if using automatic watering and at any time if carried out by manual watering. Edible plants, including vegetable gardens and fruit bearing trees and shrubs, are exempt from restrictions under Stages 1 through 3.
As most grasses naturally enter a dormancy stage during dry periods and recover when wetter conditions return, residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to let their lawns go dormant to help reduce water demands over the summer.
Staff continually monitor the water supply, water demands, critical infrastructure and the Provincial Drought Level for our region throughout the season and will determine if moving to a higher stage of restrictions is necessary as conditions change.
Water restrictions apply to the use of the drinking water supplied to residents and businesses through the municipal water service and not to water obtained from private wells, harvested rainwater, gray water, or other types of recycled water.
For more information, including any updates, a complete description of staged water restrictions and schedules, and water conservation tips, visit www.ourwatermatters.ca.
For more information contact:
Aletta Vanderheyden
Communications and Public Relations Manager
City of Abbotsford
E: media@abbotsford.ca