Summer Watering Restrictions

Stage 4 water restrictions are in effect September 5, 2023 until further notice

Summary of Stage 4 Water Restrictions:

• Residential and non-residential lawn sprinkling is prohibited. 
• No New Lawn Sprinkling Permits will be issued.
• Gardens, trees, flowers and shrubs may be watered using a handheld container or hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut-off device.
• Outdoor impermeable surface washing is prohibited (e.g. driveways, sidewalks, buildings, etc.)
• Only allowed if required to comply with health regulations. Must use a hand-held container or a hose with a spring-loaded shut-off device.
• Outdoor personal vehicle and boat washing is prohibited. *Exception for boat washing to prevent the spread of invasive species*
• All use of fountains and water features using treated drinking water is prohibited.
• All filling or topping up of pools, spas, or garden ponds using treated drinking water is prohibited. 
• Hydrant Use Permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.

View a summary of stage 4 watering restrictions here.

Simple Tips to Maintain a Healthy Lawn While Using Less Water

• Water one hour per week, whether by sprinkler or rain
• Adjust your sprinkler timer – ensure you program your timer to abide by local regulations and to avoid overwatering
• Water early in the morning – this will help reduce the amount of water lost due to evaporation and will help minimize the potential of burning your grass and/or other plants
• Let your lawn go golden (dormant), the grass will return to green in the fall with proper preparation and maintenance
• Prepare your lawn for summer conditions by aerating and over seeding in the spring
• Mow high, this helps shade deep roots that hold water

How much water do we use?

On an average day, Chilliwack uses 34 million litres of water. But in the summer, we have used up to 60 million litres of water in one day!

Lawn watering uses approximately 30% of the summer water consumption.  Most lawns only require 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week.  Water your lawn in the morning to minimize the amount of water lost to evaporation.

Why do we need to conserve water?

Using less water saves energy, saves money, and conserves the supply from the Sardis-Vedder Aquifer.  By conserving today, we reduce energy consumption and sustainably manage our precious groundwater source.

Like all other municipalities in the Lower Mainland and most other municipalities in BC, Chilliwack will continue to implement summer watering restrictions to help reduce the high water utilization.

In order to be good stewards of our water resources, the City of Chilliwack is continuing with Stage 2 watering restrictions. This includes watering lawns two days per week in the morning OR evening and allows washing impermeable surfaces (driveways, sidewalks, buildings, etc.) for aesthetic purposes.

Sprinkling of lawns at times other than those listed below is prohibited. 

Violations can be reported to the Engineering Department at 604-793-2907 or [email protected].

Please note: Address refers to street address, not unit numbers.  

For more information on water conservation initiatives, visit our Water Conservation page.