Water Protection & Conservation
The City of New Westminster has demonstrated its commitment to protecting and enhancing water quality and increasing water conservation via a number of key programs and policies. Check out some of the programs and policies the City is currently undertaking to maximize the conservation and protection of drinking water and minimizing the impact of waste and storm water on the receiving environment.
Water conservation is not just about water shortages. It is more effective and less costly to conserve water than it is to build new infrastructure. While the region receives a substantial volume of precipitation every year, there is still an urgent need to conserve potable drinking water, especially in the summer months. Long-range climate projections show that our region can expect longer summer dry spells and decreased winter snowpack, limiting future summer water availability.Metro Vancouver is responsible for the development of water conservation targets, strategies and educational campaigns. The City actively supports Metro Vancouver through the implementation of several of its own programs (e.g., Water Shortage Response Bylaw), and will expand on existing efforts to ensure that there is plenty of water available for years to come.
ALL WATER IS DRINKING WATER, SO EVERY DROP COUNTS!
Metro Vancouver’s per capita water use has steadily declined for over a decade, but continued population growth – an estimated 50,000 people every year – is expected to increase overall water demand. On average, Metro Vancouver residents use over 270 liters per person per day for washing dishes and clothes, showering, flushing toilets, watering lawns and other outside activities.
Help us protect our water supply during the warmer months by following these conservation tips:
Let your lawn turn golden brown: one hour of watering per week is enough for your grass to go dormant; it will turn green again when the wet weather returns.
Let your grass grow: Keep 5-6 cm of grass length to protect the roots and help the soil retain moisture.
Plant drought-tolerant native plants: these can survive with very little watering once established.
Purchase a rain barrel: this unchlorinated and oxygen-rich water can be collected during the wetter months and used to water your lawn and garden when watering restrictions are in effect.
Use a hose timer: set a timer on your manual watering system so you don’t have to remember to turn it off.
Check your sprinklers for leaks: ensure water isn’t being wasted on sidewalks, driveways, and other areas that don’t need it.
Water Conservation Tools and Resources
- Water Usage Calculator: Find out how much water is used in your home with the Alliance for Water Efficiency's Water Calculator.
- Metro Vancouver's Reservoir Levels and Water Use
- Metro Vancouver’s tips on indoor/outdoor water conservation and lawn care
- Water Conservation Tips & Educational Material Brochure - Outdoor
- Water Conservation Tips & Educational Material Brochure - Indoor
The Rain Barrel Program is back for 2025!
Rain barrels are an affordable and sustainable way to water your garden, providing unchlorinated, oxygen-rich water that is healthier for plants. They collect rainwater from the roof to reuse on gardens, lawns, and hanging baskets, and are especially helpful during lawn watering restrictions from May 1 to October 15.
How to purchase a Rain Barrel:
- Cost is $74 + GST.
- Proof of New Westminster residency is required.
- Apply online or in person at City Hall.
Once payment is complete, pick up will be available at the Engineering Operations Works Yard parking lot, located at 901 First St, between 9 am and 12 pm on the following dates:
- April: 12, 26
- May: 10, 24
- June: 7, 21
- July: 5, 19
- August: 9, 23
- September: 6, 20
Proof of purchase is required for pick up.
Rain Barrel Features:
- 208 Liters (55 gallon) capacity
- 34 inches high by 24 inches wide
- Easily accommodates existing downspouts
- Made of 50% recycled materials
- Overflow capability, can be linked to another rain barrel
- Square shape and neutral color blends into any gardenscape
- Stainless steel screen keeps out bugs and leaf debris
For general inquires about the rain barrel program, please e-mail or call Engineering Administration at 604-527-4592.
Information and Resources
- Winterization: Residents are reminded to winterize their rain barrels. Drain the barrel completely, disconnect, and store in a shed or garage. The City will not provide replacements for barrels damaged due to improper storage. For more information, refer to your rain barrel installation guide.
- Rain barrel program FAQ
- Rain barrel product description
- Rain barrel installation guide
- Rain barrel installation video on YouTube
The Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR) is a provincial policy directive which came into effect on March 31, 2006. Its intent is to protect riparian areas and the natural features and functions that support fish life processes. RAR affects local governmental approvals for new residential, commercial and industrial developments around watercourses considered fish habitat. The approaches to protect riparian areas around watercourses in New Westminster include the following:
Fraser River and Brunette River: For development applications in these areas, a default 30 metre setback on both sides of the river (to top of bank) will be established. Development applications within the 30 metre setback will require assessment by a qualified environmental professional (QEP).
Queensborough Ditches: Guidelines were created related to development and work activities around the various constructed watercourses on Queensborough. A number of ditches are subject to RAR (see map).
For more information about RAR and development around riparian areas, please see our Riparian Area Regulation brochure (PDF).
Did you know?
The province is providing a consistent approach to addressing the potential impact of residential, commercial and industrial activity on the riparian fish habitat. For more information on the RAR, please visit the BC Government website.
When rainstorms hit New Westminster, the combined sewers (sanitary and storm) in the city often do not have the capacity to carry all the wastewater from homes to the region’s treatment plants. As a result, sewage from the combined sewer overflows (CSO) unavoidably enters receiving watercourses – namely the Fraser or Brunette Rivers.The City of New Westminster has been replacing its combined sewers – an older type of collection system – with separate pipe systems (wastewater and stormwater). This process is a costly, long-range project that results in a replacement rate of only 1% annually.
In 2005, the City partnered with Metro Vancouver (GVRD) in an initiative to create a tank (CSO tank) that would receive combined sewer overflows from the west end side of the City. The tank, which is a 20,000 cubic meter volume storage facility, was designed to address the CSO problem in that area by collecting large quantities of wastewater (e.g. during large rainfall events) and storing it until a time when the treatment plants can handle the additional load. This CSO tank aims to reduce combined sewer overflows in the City by 30%!
Did you know?
CSO Building wins "green" award! Visit the Metro Vancouver website to watch a video on the construction of a CSO tank (Episode 21).