This rainy, cool spring we’re having?
You’ll be remembering it fondly when new rules restricting lawn watering to just one day a week take effect on May 1 until Oct. 15.
Tuesday, Port Moody council is expected to approve bylaws that will bring the city into line with updates to the Metro Vancouver drinking water conservation policy that was passed by the Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) last Oct. 29.
Those rules restrict lawn watering in the region to one day a week during Stage 1 restrictions that take effect automatically on May 1 every year, and ban lawn watering completely during Stage 2 restrictions that can be implemented when further water conservation is needed.
In a report, Port Moody’s infrastructure engineer Devon Brownlee said “reduced lawn watering has been the most effective way to reduce seasonal demand for water and save drinking water for essential uses.”
She added the combination of the tighter rules, along with existing education and enforcement programs will help reduce seasonal demand for water that could even have further benefits like reducing greenhouse gases and allowing for the deferral of major regional infrastructure projects.
However, Brownlee added, the fines for violating the restrictions are not being recommended to change.
Currently the penalty for violating the watering ban is $75 at Stage 1 restrictions and $100 at Stage 2.
In her report, Brownlee said as a member of the GVWD, Port Moody is required to adopt the regional regulations.
