Metro Vancouver urging water conservation amid drought

Officials in Metro Vancouver are encouraging residents and businesses to cut back on their water use.

This comes as the province deals with a drier-than-normal October, with much of the province’s south coast at the highest drought level.

With water use 20% higher than average for this time of year and low reservoirs, be mindful to save water for where we need it most: cooking, cleaning and drinking. Lawn watering restrictions are extended to Oct 31. More details at https://t.co/DWUfhGa3VQ pic.twitter.com/K0Bve6VPRY

— Metro Vancouver (@MetroVancouver) October 14, 2022

“Our current water use is about 20 per cent higher than normal for this time of year,” said Malcolm Brodie, the chair of Metro Vancouver’s Water Committee.

“Our reservoir levels are lower than we typically see for this time of year. This higher than expected water usage is leading to ongoing draw-down of our water storage reservoirs.”

The Metro Vancouver Regional District explains that by cutting back on outdoor and indoor water use, reserves can remain stable until it starts raining.

“Fall rains replenish the drinking water reservoirs, and runoff from seasonal snow keeps reservoirs topped up until the early part of the summer,” Metro Vancouver said in a statement. “Reservoirs gradually draw down over the drier summer months when river inflows are low and water demand is higher.”

The region says river and stream levels in the area are at record lows.

How to cut back on water use

The region recommends saving water for what is needed most: cooking, cleaning, and drinking. It advises avoiding watering your lawn and letting it go dormant for the winter.

There are other simple steps that can be taken to cut back on water use, Metro Vancouver says, including turning off the tap while washing dishes or brushing teeth, shorter showers, and running full loads of laundry in cold water.

“We need your help to make sure there’s enough of it for the whole dry season,” added Brodie. “Reducing indoor and outdoor water use during this dry season will help preserve our water supply until the replenishing rains return.”

Related Stories: 

• More Vancouver weather records could break amid warmer fall

• Major concerns for B.C.’s salmon population as drought drags on

• BC Hydro tries to conserve water and protect fish

There may be a small bit of relief on the horizon when it comes to the weather. Environment Canada says there is a 60 per cent chance of showers on Friday, Oct. 21, after five straight days of more sunny, dry conditions.

Metro Vancouver has not seen any rainfall since September.