Metro Vancouver warns Stage 3 water restrictions likely to begin in June

underground george vancouver Regional territory is asking residents to skip plunk for on outdoor water use as the region prepares for the likely move to Stage 3 water restrictions sometime in June.

The regional district says its eyeing the potential move because of a combination of factors, including a major water supply pipe that has been taken out of service for construction.

The pipe in question, the First Narrows Crossing, carries water from North Shore water reservoirs through Stanley Park and into Vancouver. But it has been offline since last fall to facilitate construction work on the new Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel, which will replace the aging water main built in the 1930s.

If water use demand climbs too high while the crossing is offline, the regional district says it could reduce water pressure and affect the ability of first responders to access water during emergencies.

Linda Parkinson, a director in Metro Vancouver’s water services department, says water use in May has already been higher than it was at the same time last year, when the region was under less restrictive Stage 1 rules.

“When it gets warm here, we use a lot more water,” she said. “We use 50 per cent more water than we do in the winter.”

The region has been under Stage 2 restrictions since May 1, which means lawn watering is already banned, as well as any filling or topping up of decorative water features. 

Under Stage 3, lawn water remains prohibited along with additional restrictions on watering trees and gardens, filling pools and hot tubs and washing surfaces, vehicles and boats.

Metro Vancouver encourages residents and businesses to reduce water use and adhere to Stage 2 water restrictions to protect the system while critical infrastructure work is underway, and to prepare for Stage 3 restrictions in June.<br><br>See full restrictions: <a href="https://t.co/VX8iWGHkgf">https://t.co/VX8iWGHkgf</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wc2tf1Llsz">pic.twitter.com/Wc2tf1Llsz</a>

Parkinson says the goal is to avoid Stage 3 as much as possible unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

“We don’t take this decision lightly,” she added.

The last time Metro Vancouver was under Stage 3 water restrictions was in July 2015, nearly 11 years ago. 

“That was a drought year and we had a historically low snowpack that year,” Parkinson said. 

This year is raising similar concerns.

Metro Vancouver says the remaining snowpack is at about 23 per cent of the historical average — the lowest level since 2015.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre is also warning that low snowpack, early snowmelt and warm seasonal forecasts are increasing drought risks, especially along the South Coast.

Snowpack acts like natural water storage, holding water in the mountains and slowly releasing it through spring and early summer. When snowpack is low or melts early, reservoirs rely more heavily on stored water.

For now, according to Metro Vancouver, the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam reservoirs — which supply the region’s drinking water — remain at typical levels.

But Parkinson says that could change quickly once temperatures rise and outdoor water use increases.

Seasonal forecasts from Environment and Climate Change Canada show a higher chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures across much of B.C. From May to July, with the strongest signals along the South Coast.

Metro Vancouver says it is trying to keep daily water use below 1.4 billion litres while the First Narrows Crossing remains offline. 

It says the water system can stay resilient while still maintaining water use well above one billion litres until the construction work is completed.

Metro Vancouver says it will give at least one week’s public notice before moving to Stage 3.

Local cities are responsible for enforcing restrictions through their own bylaws. 

Parkinson says many municipalities start with warnings, but fines can reach up to $500 under Stage 2 and may be higher under Stage 3.

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