All water delivered to your home is drinking water. The City of Langley’s Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw 2022 No. 3037 restricts non-essential uses of water in four stages, consistent with Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan.
Watering Stages
Lawn Watering
Lawn watering is permitted one morning per week based on address.
Residential
- Even addresses – Saturday
- Odd addresses – Sunday
- Automatic watering – 5:00 am to 7:00 am
- Manual watering – 6:00 am to 9:00 am
Non-residential
- Even addresses – Monday
- Odd addresses – Tuesday
- Automatic watering – 4:00 am to 6:00 am
- Manual watering – 6:00 am to 9:00 am
Unless watering is in accordance with a valid Water Exemption Permit.
Gardens
Watering garden beds, shrubs, trees, and flowers by handheld hose, soaker hose, watering container, or drip irrigation is permitted on any day at any time during Stage 1. Watering these areas by sprinkler is limited to specific hours.
Residential
- Garden sprinkling permitted any day, 5:00 am to 9:00 am
Non-Residential
- Garden sprinkling permitted any day, 4:00 am to 9:00 am
Areas designated for growing edible plants such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. may be watered by any means on any day at any time during Stage 1.
Other Uses
The use of water for other non-essential purposes such as topping up fountains, pools, or washing cars is permitted during Stage 1, however, everyone is encouraged to only use what is necessary.
Stage 2 restrictions are activated during periods of extended drought or there is a water supply issue. During Stage 2, watering is permitted as follows:
Lawn Watering
Lawn watering is not permitted when Stage 2 restrictions are in effect. Water Exemption Permits shall remain valid until they expire, however, they may not be renewed and new permits will not be issued.
Gardens
Watering garden beds, shrubs, trees, and flowers by handheld hose, soaker hose, watering container, or drip irrigation is permitted on any day at any time during Stage 2. Watering these areas by sprinkler is limited to specific hours.
Residential
- Garden sprinkling permitted any day, 5:00 am to 9:00 am
Non-Residential
- Garden sprinkling permitted any day, 4:00 am to 9:00 am
Areas designated for growing edible plants such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. may be watered by any means on any day at any time during Stage 2.
Washing of Impermeable Surfaces
During Stage 2, the washing of impermeable surfaces is prohibited except for health and safety reasons, to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment, and for aesthetic cleaning by a commercial operator.
Pools & Fountains
Topping up or filling fountains or ponds is prohibited in Stage 2. Filling hot tubs and pools are still permitted.
City Spray Parks
All City's Spray Parks are touch-activated and will be operational during Stage 2.
Stage 3 watering restrictions are reserved for periods of severe drought.
Lawn Watering
Lawn watering is not permitted and any Water Exemption Permits are invalidated.
Gardens
Watering gardens, trees, shrubs, and flowers via sprinkler or soaker hose is prohibited in Stage 3.
Watering via a handheld hose, water container, or drip irrigation is still permitted any day at any time.
Edible plants may continue to be watered via any means at any time.
Washing of Impermeable Surfaces
Washing impermeable surfaces is prohibited except for:
- Health and safety reasons
- To prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment
Pools & Fountains
Topping up or filling pools, hot tubs, and fountains is prohibited in Stage 3.
Vehicles and Boats
Washing vehicles and boats during stage 3 is prohibited except to clean windows, lights, mirrors, license plates, and boat engines for safety.
Commercial vehicle washes must observe restrictions based on the date the facility became active and their wash system installed.
See a summary of Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan.
Activation of stages 2 through 4 are determined by Metro Vancouver or the City of Langley based on reservoir levels and expected rainfall and/or snow melt. During all stages, residents must ensure:
- All hoses have an automatic shut-off device (ex. spring loaded nozzle)
- When watering lawns or gardens (as permitted), water must not unnecessarily run off impermeable surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, or curbs
- Hoses and taps must not run unnecessarily
- Irrigation systems must not be faulty, leaking or misdirected
| Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| New sodded or seeded lawn | $50.00* with proof of purchase of sod or seed |
| Existing lawn to receive nematode application | $0.00* with proof of purchase of nematodes |
*All fees are subject to applicable taxes.
New Lawns
Properties establishing a new lawn by sod, turf, or seed that wish to water additional mornings must obtain a Water Exemption Permit. A permit is valid for 21 days from the start date, with one possible renewal, and must be displayed at the property. Water Exemption Permits to establish a new lawn are subject to fees. Permits are not available for overseeding existing lawns. Water exemption permits and extensions are available during Stage 1 restrictions. If Stage 2 is declared, these permits remain valid until their expiry date but may not be extended and new permits will not be issued.
Treatment of European Chafer Beetles
Properties experiencing an infestation of the European Chafer Beetle that wish to treat the affected lawn by applying nematodes can apply for a Water Exemption Permit to allow watering on additional days. Water Exemption Permits for the purpose of applying nematodes to treat European Chafer Beetles are not subject to fees, however, proof of nematode purchase or hiring of professional treatment services is a requirement for issuance. Water exemption permits for treating European Chafer Beetle may be obtained while Stage 1 restrictions are in effect. If Stage 2 is declared, they shall remain valid until their expiry date, however, no new permits will be issued.
Applying for a Permit
Water Exemption Permits are available to residential and commercial properties when stage 1 restrictions are in effect. Once issued, a permit is valid for 21 days from the start date. Permits for new lawns are eligible for extension, consecutive with the initial permit, while permits for nematode applications are not eligible for extension. Requests for permit extensions are not available online. Permit holders must call 604.514.2997 during regular business hours to request an extension prior to the expiry date of the original permit.
Approved permits must be displayed at the property.
During stage 2 restrictions, existing Water Exemption Permits are valid until they expire. However, they are not eligible to be renewed, and new permits will not be issued.
To apply for a Water Exemption Permit or if you have any questions, please contact the City of Langley’s Engineering Division at engineering@langleycity.ca or 604.514.2997
Frequently Asked Questions
Water use increases by up to 50% in the summer, primarily due to lawn watering. Restrictions around water use help ensure drinking water isn't wasted.
Lawn watering is prohibited in the evenings as this is a period when demand for water is highest for other household activities such as washing clothes or showering. Evening watering has been prohibited for over a decade.
The bylaw only applies to properties connected to the municipal water supply. Private well water is under Provincial jurisdiction, however, we encourage all property owners to be good environmental stewards and follow water use restrictions. Water restrictions are in place to protect our shared drinking water to help ensure a continued source of water for all.
Yes, Drinking Water Conservation Bylaw No. 3037 also places restrictions on when sports playing fields and school fields may be watered, however, their timing is different than residential and non-residential lawns. Some fields have a sand base for year-round use, allowing higher water infiltration and faster drainage to accommodate wet winter months. Due to this sand base, these playing fields must be watered during the summer to prevent drying out and potential die-offs. The use of sand base fields is consistent with other local municipalities.
City of Langley staff are aware of water conservation, and only water to the extent required for facility maintenance. The majority of parks and playing fields use an automated watering system connected to a computerized central irrigation system. The computerized system uses local water data to calculate the evapotranspiration rate. The system then applies a measured amount of water to the soil to maintain specific soil moisture. Generally, parks and playing fields receive infrequent watering, but for longer periods of time, to force the turf to grow longer roots. Longer roots make turf more durable and resilient.
All Langley City spray parks implement the following water conservation features:
- Reduced flow components operate with less water.
- Push button activation so parks do not operate when no one is present.
- Sequential programming so not all park features are on at the same time (which helps limit water usage).
- Timed operation so the park cannot be activated during off hours, as well as the water sequence turning off minutes after each button activation.
And almost all City spray parks handle runoff through surface swales and channels to allow off-gassing of chlorine before the water is diverted into natural watercourses where it:
- Provides additional stream flow during low-flow seasons in connected watercourses and increases fish habitat.
- Lowers water temperature in connected creeks and streams to improve fish habitat.
- Provides more opportunities for aquifer recharge through natural watercourse systems.
If you know your neighbour, you may wish to have a quick chat with them to ensure they have the right details for this year's watering restrictions. Feel free to mention the City of Langley's Water Restrictions website with them so they can find more information online.
Otherwise, place a request for service regarding watering outside of permitted times to be assisted as soon as possible.
Reports of watering outside permitted times should be submitted as a request for service.
Please include the following information when contacting us. Reports of watering violations missing any of the information below will be considered incomplete and not responded to.
- Your name and contact details
- Address of property observed actively watering
- Date(s) and time(s) of watering
- Location of watering (e.g. front lawn, back garden, etc.)
- Method of watering (e.g. in ground irrigation system, sprinkler and hose, etc.)
Photos and/or videos of observed watering are appreciated to help staff in their investigation.
Although a healthy lawn only requires one hour of watering per week, Metro Vancouver has observed some properties watering their lawns any time watering is allowed, regardless of how much water is actually needed. The new automatic vs. manual distinction helps ensure those with automated systems do not leave their systems on for hours on end. Differing times for automatic and manual watering are implemented to help control overall demand on the distribution system while recognizing those watering by manual methods must get up to turn on their sprinklers.
Metro Vancouver revised the region’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan in the fall of 2021 in preparation for the following summer after an extremely warm and dry summer that included a ‘heat dome’ event. Even with reduced lawn watering in the summer of 2022, unseasonably warm temperatures and extended sunshine into early October required restrictions to be extended beyond their original October 15 end date. It is important to abide by restrictions starting May 1 to help avoid the need for higher restrictions stages later in the season.
Stage 2 restrictions have been avoided in previous years in large part due to healthy snowpacks resulting in extended melting periods that refilled the region’s reservoirs into early summer. As climate change makes weather patterns and in turn supply less predictable, it’s important to reduce consumption of drinking water to ensure adequate supply every year.
Even with conservation efforts, the region’s population will continue to grow and eventually require a larger water supply. Planning has begun for a second, deeper water intake at the Coquitlam Lake reservoir to increase the water available to the region. Construction is expected to begin later this decade and complete in the late 2030s. Learn more about the project on Metro Vancouver’s website.
Being Water Wise
Want to keep your lawn healthy all year while using less water? Metro Vancouver’s Water Wise Lawn Care Guide provides advice on actions to take at different times of the year to promote a healthy lawn while reducing water use.
Remember, your lawn only needs one inch or one hour of watering per week – including rain! You can also let your lawn go golden and become dormant over the summer. Rest assured, it will become green again when the fall rain returns.
- Use a watering timer to have your sprinkler turn off after an hour
- Sweep patios, decks, and driveways with a broom instead of a hose
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn. They’ll help trap moisture to reduce evaporation and break down to feed your lawn naturally
- Water vegetable gardens in the morning, near the roots, and by hand
- When water restrictions finish for the season, continue to conserve water delivered to your home by looking for indoor opportunities to save water.