Stage 1 watering restrictions begin Sept. 1 in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

Metro Vancouver will move from Stage 2 to Stage 1 watering restrictions on Sept. 1, allowing Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows residents and businesses to water lawns one morning each week. The restrictions remain in effect until Oct. 15.

For homes, even-numbered addresses may water lawns on Saturdays: automated systems may run from 5 to 7 a.m., while manual watering is permitted from 6 to 9 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses have the same hours on Sundays.

Non-residential properties with even-numbered addresses may water lawns on Mondays, with automated watering allowed from 4 to 6 a.m. and manual watering from 6 to 9 a.m. Odd-numbered non-residential addresses have those hours on Tuesdays.

Trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered by sprinkler every morning, from 5 to 9 a.m. for residential properties and from 4 to 9 a.m. for non-residential properties. Hand watering and drip irrigation are allowed at any time, and edible plants are exempt.

Stage 1 also permits unrestricted washing of impermeable surfaces such as driveways and patios. The rules do not apply to rainwater, grey water, recycled water or water from sources outside the regional and municipal drinking-water supply system. Metro Vancouver said reservoir levels are within the typical range for this time of year.