Metro Vancouver’s lawn watering regulations are in effect across the region from May 1 until October 15, in order to conserve treated drinking water during the hotter, drier summer months.
Metro Vancouver’s water supply for 2.5 million residents comes from rain and snow melt, which is stored in three source reservoirs, Capilano Lake, Seymour Lake and Coquitlam Lake, and three alpine lakes, Palisade Lake, Burwell Lake and Loch Lomond. Demand on Metro Vancouver’s regional water supply can increase by over 50 percent during the summer months, largely due to lawn watering.
Each year, staff plan for the summer high water demand season by using computer modelling to forecast how much water we will have in the source reservoirs and alpine lakes by the time the rains return in the fall. This modelling considers various scenarios and uses the highest historic water demands, extended drought period river inflows, watershed snow survey reports and expected weather conditions. The modelling results are an indicator of the likelihood the region will be able to remain within Stage 1 Watering Regulations or must apply more stringent regulations in order to conserve water.
Throughout the year, the region’s water supply is managed on a daily basis using real time information such as actual river inflows, source lake levels, and daily water consumption. The use of water from the source reservoirs is optimized to meet the regional water demand, operational and maintenance-related requirements, as well as minimum downstream flows for fisheries and recreation.
Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam Lakes each supply about one third of the region’s drinking water. Water supplied from Coquitlam Lake can be increased to meet about half of the region’s water demand during the summer season. As of June 9, the Total Source Storage was at 93 percent of maximum. Capilano Lake and Seymour Lake will be maintained at or near full pool elevation for as long as possible. All three alpine lakes are currently full and available for summer use.
Metro Vancouver’s water supply for 2.5 million residents comes from rain and snow melt, which is stored in three source reservoirs, Capilano Lake, Seymour Lake and Coquitlam Lake, and three alpine lakes, Palisade Lake, Burwell Lake and Loch Lomond. Demand on Metro Vancouver’s regional water supply can increase by over 50 percent during the summer months, largely due to lawn watering.
Each year, staff plan for the summer high water demand season by using computer modelling to forecast how much water we will have in the source reservoirs and alpine lakes by the time the rains return in the fall. This modelling considers various scenarios and uses the highest historic water demands, extended drought period river inflows, watershed snow survey reports and expected weather conditions. The modelling results are an indicator of the likelihood the region will be able to remain within Stage 1 Watering Regulations or must apply more stringent regulations in order to conserve water.
Throughout the year, the region’s water supply is managed on a daily basis using real time information such as actual river inflows, source lake levels, and daily water consumption. The use of water from the source reservoirs is optimized to meet the regional water demand, operational and maintenance-related requirements, as well as minimum downstream flows for fisheries and recreation.
Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam Lakes each supply about one third of the region’s drinking water. Water supplied from Coquitlam Lake can be increased to meet about half of the region’s water demand during the summer season. As of June 9, the Total Source Storage was at 93 percent of maximum. Capilano Lake and Seymour Lake will be maintained at or near full pool elevation for as long as possible. All three alpine lakes are currently full and available for summer use.