Water restrictions: what’s actually in effect right now

Correction: an earlier version of this piece reported Stage 3 water restrictions were in effect. On July 16, Metro Vancouver downgraded the region, including Port Moody, back to Stage 2 — we’ve updated this article to reflect that.

Under Stage 2, lawn watering remains banned across the region. Trees, shrubs, and flower gardens can be watered by hand, drip irrigation, soaker hose, or sprinkler — sprinklers are permitted 5–9am. Vegetable gardens can be watered at any time.

The restriction is tied to regional water supply conditions during the drier summer months, driven by low snowpack and a dry, hot forecast. Bylaw enforcement can issue tickets for non-compliance, so it’s worth knowing exactly what stage is in effect before watering.

What to watch next: whether restrictions ease further if the region sees meaningful rainfall, or escalate again if dry conditions persist through late summer.