Metro Vancouver to implement Stage 3 water restrictions starting Monday, June 8
As of June 8, 2026, Stage 3 water restrictions will be in effect for the Metro Vancouver region, including Port Moody. The ban on lawn watering, introduced in Stage 2, will continue. Trees, shrubs, and flower gardens need to be watered by hand or drip irrigation in Stage 3. Sprinklers, sprinkler systems, and soaker hoses will no longer be allowed.
During the warmest months of the year, it’s important that we use treated water where it’s needed most — for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Whether it’s from a tap or a hose, it’s all drinking water – let’s use the region’s supply wisely. Water restrictions are in effect annually from May 1 through October 15. Stages range from 1 through 4 depending on the level needed to ensure reliable water distribution throughout peak periods.
During Stage 3, additional restrictions for residential properties include:
- no topping up or filling of pools, hot tubs, or decorative water features (e.g. ponds, fountains);
- no washing of vehicles or boats except spot cleaning for safety (windows, lights, mirrors); and
- no cleaning/washing of impermeable surfaces (e.g. decks, house siding) with personal pressure washers or garden hoses.
You may continue to:
- water trees, shrubs, and flowers by hand (any day, any time) with a water container, drip irrigation, or hose with spring-loaded nozzle (no sprinklers or soaker hoses);
- water vegetable gardens at any time;
- wash vehicles and boats at a commercial car wash (water-efficient facilities are allowed to operate); and
- lean/wash impermeable surfaces using a hired commercial cleaner for safety or prepping a surface for painting or similar treatment (no aesthetic cleaning).
Non-residential properties are subject to similar restrictions in Stage 3. Visit portmoody.ca/waterrestrictions or metrovancouver.org for more information including a summary of restrictions for stages 1 through 4.
Using less water at home, both outside and indoors, helps us conserve treated drinking water. Typically, much of the water used in summer is for outdoor activities such as lawn watering, but it’s okay for your lawn to go dormant. With proper care and maintenance, your lawn will quickly green-up again in the fall.
Bylaw enforcement
The region’s drinking water is a shared resource managed by Metro Vancouver under its Drinking Water Conservation Plan. The City enforces restrictions through our Water Conservation Plan Bylaw No. 3346. Failure to comply with the bylaw carries a $200 fine. In addition to monitoring for compliance while out on regular patrol and responding to complaints from the public, bylaw officers may also monitor outdoor water usage while conducting planned checks of waste carts outside of regular business hours (late night/early morning) on collection days. Remember to follow current water restrictions to conserve drinking water and avoid fines.
Why is Metro Vancouver moving to Stage 3?
The temporary move to Stage 3 is due in part to warm, dry weather and a low snowpack this year. Metro Vancouver is also making the change to protect the water supply system while critical infrastructure work is completed. Review Metro Vancouver’s media release dated June 1, 2026 for more information.
No exemption permits
Please note that exemption permits are not available. Under Port Moody’s Water Conservation Plan Bylaw, residents establishing new lawns or using nematode applications are only eligible for a temporary exemption permit from water restrictions when Stage 1 is in effect.
Impact on City work
The water restrictions set out in Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan are specific to three types of property: residential, non-residential, and government/schools/parks. The City follows the restrictions for governments/schools/parks.
During Stage 3:
Prohibited
- watering lawns and grass boulevards
- topping up or filling of decorative water features (e.g. ponds, fountains)
- washing vehicles and boats except to clean windows, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and boat engines for safety
Allowed but with restrictions
- watering trees, shrubs, and flowers – by hand (any day, any time) with a water container, drip irrigation, or hose with spring loaded nozzle (no sprinklers or soaker hoses)
- watering soil-based playing fields – no more than three days in a seven-day period from 7pm to 9am
- watering sand-based playing fields – no more than five days in a seven-day period from 7pm to 9am
- operating spray parks – permitted for parks with user-activated switches (City of Port Moody spray parks will continue to operate as they are user-activated)
- topping up or filling of pools and hot tubs – prohibited except with a permit to operate in accordance with health authorities having jurisdiction over pool and hot tub regulation (City of Port Moody pools and hot tubs will continue to operate in accordance with permits from Fraser Health)
Review Metro Vancouver’s summary of restrictions for governments/schools/parks to find details including exceptions to the above.
Water restrictions apply only to the use of Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) drinking water and not to the use of rain water, grey water, any forms of recycled water, or other water that is not sourced from the GVWD water system.
Why do we need water restrictions?
Restrictions help manage demand for drinking water during the drier months and periods of water shortages, and in emergencies. Our water starts as rainfall and snowmelt in the mountains and flows downhill into large collection lakes called reservoirs. While we receive our fair share of rain in winter and early spring, May through September can be dry – this means the supply of treated water in our reservoirs is lowest when demand is highest. Water use can increase by 50 per cent in summer and early fall. Even seemingly small actions can make a difference – for example, one hour of lawn watering uses as much drinking water as 25 toilet flushes, five loads of laundry, and five dishwasher loads combined. Visit welovewater.ca for simple ways to use less water at home.