Close2025 Stage 1 Water Conservation Regulations in Effect May 1
Each year, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) brings in Stage 1 water conservation regulations on May 1. After successive years of extreme drought, water regulations are more important that ever to secure water supply into late summer and early fall.
The regulations outlined below apply to all SCRD water customers on the Sunshine Coast. If you live in the Town of Gibsons, please visit www.gibsons.ca for water conservation regulations in that water service area.
Regulations define the types of watering and separate plants into three categories: lawns; trees, shrubs, and flowers; and food producing plants. Watering schedules can vary in different water systems across the region.
Stage 1 Watering Schedule
Watering Lawns
Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro spray can be used to water lawns according to the Stage 1 schedule which is:
- For even numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- For odd numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed on Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Watering trees, shrubs, flowers and food producing plants
Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro spray can be used to water trees, shrubs, flowers and food producing plants and trees according to the Stage 1 schedule:
- For even numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- For odd numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
During Stage 1 water conservation regulations, hand held hoses with nozzles, hand held containers, or drip-irrigation can be used anytime for watering lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or food producing plants and trees.
Rain sensors are required on all irrigation systems to prevent watering in the rain.
Other uses of water
Pressure washing sidewalks and driveways, windows or exterior building surfaces is permitted only during Stage 1.
Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.
A reminder that staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form. Please note that anonymous or third-party complaints will not be accepted.
Water Supply Update
A water supply update, including the latest information on snowpack levels will be provided at the SCRD’s May 8 Committee of the Whole meeting. You can join that meeting and watch the update at www.scrd.ca/agendas.
The most recent snow survey conducted in late March showed that snowpack is about average. You can find this info here on the provincial water supply page.