Stage 3 water restriction start June 8 in Metro Vancouver<\/p>\n
Published 9:15 am Wednesday, June 3, 2026<\/p>\n
Metro Vancouver is temporarily moving to Stage 3 water restrictions starting Monday, June 8 to protect the water supply system while critical infrastructure work is completed.<\/p>\n
The restrictions impact much of the Lower Mainland, including Surrey, Delta, and Langley, among other cities. In White Rock, Abbotsford and Chilliwack, which are not part of the Metro Vancouver system, Stage 1 restrictions remain in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year is unique, with and construction on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel impacting our water supply,\u201d Metro Vancouver chair Mike Hurley noted in a release. \u201cWhen the summer-like weather hits, water use can increase by more than 50 per cent, and in order to complete projects like Stanley Park that increase capacity and resilience, we need to work together and bring down our water use so the system is protected while work is underway.\u201d<\/p>\n
The region uses an average of one billion litres of water a day, increasing through the summer to 1.5 billion litres a day. In May, Metro Vancouver implemented Stage 2 water restrictions, which prohibit lawn watering, and set a target to keep regional daily water use under 1.4 billion litres.<\/p>\n
Below that level, water pressure will not be affected while the First Narrows Crossing is out of service to allow for the current phase of work on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel to be completed, the release said, but added lower water pressure could affect the ability of first responders to use water for emergencies because of a decrease in water pressure.<\/p>\n
In addition to project work, Metro Vancouver continues to closely monitor how the weather and snowpack are affecting water supply.<\/p>\n
\u201cForecasts are calling for warm, dry weather, which will drive up demand. While reservoirs are at typical levels, the snowpack, which helps keep reservoirs fuller longer, is well below normal \u2014 less than 15 per cent of the historical average,\u201d the release said.<\/p>\n
Despite implementing Stage 2 water restrictions early, water use in May was higher than in May 2025, when the region was in Stage 1 restrictions. Current usage is around 1.2 billion litres per day, but expected to jump with the warm weather forecasted for June.<\/p>\n
Historic water use trends show that the region regularly exceeds 1.4 billion litres in June, and Stage 3 water restrictions \u201calong with strong education and municipal enforcement programs are required to keep the region below that target and ensure the system is protected during June and July. With reductions in outdoor water use, this is achievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under Stage 3:<\/p>\n
\u2022 All lawn watering is prohibited.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered at any time using a water container, drip irrigation, or hose with spring-loaded nozzle. Sprinklers and soaker hoses are prohibited.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Vegetable gardens can be watered at any time.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pools, hot tubs, and decorative water features, such as fountains, cannot be filled or topped up.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Vehicles and boats cannot be washed at home except to clean windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and boat engines for safety. They may be washed at a water-efficient commercial car wash.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Washing surfaces like driveways and sidewalks is prohibited except in limited circumstances.<\/p>\n
Water restrictions do not apply to the use of rainwater, grey water, any forms of recycled water, or other sources of water outside the regional and municipal drinking water supply system.<\/p>\n