Water Sprinkling Restrictions: Phase 1
May 24, 2005
Water Sprinkling Restrictions Begin June 1
Effective June 1 until September 30, 2005, water restrictions will be in effect throughout the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), including the City of Richmond.
Lawn sprinkling restrictions are required to conserve the region’s limited water resource. Water use is at its highest during the summer period and the demand far outstrips any natural replenishment of reservoirs. On average, residential consumption is about 350 litres (77 gallons) per person per day. On a hot summer day, outdoor watering of lawns and gardens can cause consumption to double.
Lawn sprinkling is permitted as follows:
- Residents whose street address ends in an even number may water their lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Residents whose street address ends in an odd number may water Thursdays and Sundays from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The sprinkling of lawns at times other than those listed above are prohibited and subject to a $75 fine. An exception permit for new lawns is available for a fee of $30 from the Information Counter, on the main floor of City Hall, located at 6911 No 3 Road. This permit will allow you to sprinkle new lawns outside restricted times.
Research has shown that an established lawn needs only approximately 25 millimetres, or one inch, of water each week to stay healthy. This is equivalent to about one hour of sprinkling.
Residents may still water their flowers, shrubs and vegetable gardens, and wash their cars, with a spring-loaded shut-off device unless further restrictions are applied.
For further information, please call the City of Richmond’s automated sprinkling restriction information line at (604) 276-4355, or visit the GVRD web site at http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/.
