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
Lawn and garden watering accounts for the largest portion of residential water use in the summer – water demand can increase by 50%, largely due to lawn watering. Reducing water use during peak periods helps to ensure a sufficient water supply in the summer and can defer the need for system upgrades to the water supply infrastructure. In order to conserve our region's water supply, New Westminster supports Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan by enforcing the region’s Lawn Watering Regulations through the City’s Water Shortage Response Bylaw.
Stage 1 of the Water Shortage Response Bylaw, regardless of weather conditions, applies from May 1 to October 15.
The intent is for watering to take place in the early morning hours, when demand is low and evaporation is minimal. The policy applies to both residential and non-residential areas. The permitted watering hours are summarized below.
Residential
Even-numbered addresses on Saturdays
Odd-numbered addresses on Sundays
- Automatic watering: 5:00 am to 7:00 am
- Manual watering: 6:00 am to 9:00 am
Watering trees, shrubs and flowers is permitted any day from 5:00 am to 9:00 am if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
Edible plants are exempt from regulations.
Non-residential
Even-numbered addresses: Mondays only
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays only
- Automatic watering: 4:00 to 6:00 am
- Manual watering: 6:00 am to 9:00 am
Watering trees, shrubs and flowers is permitted any day from 4:00 am to 9:00 am if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
Edible plants are exempt from regulations
Automatic watering means applying water using an automated water delivery system that requires only minimal human intervention or supervision and typically employs mechanical, electronic, or other components and devices, including but not limited to timers, sensors, computers, or mechanical appliances.
Manual watering means applying water using a device or tool that is manually held or operated by a human being, without automatic watering.
Check out the Lawn Watering: Automatic vs. Manual Methods guide for examples.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Water Exemption Permits: Between May 1 and Oct 15, newly turfed or seeded lawns and those being treated with nematodes may be irrigated more frequently, provided a Lawn Watering Permit is obtained. Permits can be obtained through Engineering Services at City Hall, Queensborough Community Centre or by applying Online. Proof of purchase may be required to obtain a permit. While exemption permits allow for additional watering days, watering is restricted to the hours of 4am to 9am. Permits are not issued or renewed in Stages 2, 3 and 4.
- Car washing using a hose equipped with a spring loaded shut-off device is permitted in Stage 1.
- Residents may water their lawn with water from rain barrels outside of permitted watering hours.
Your cooperation will help save water and reduce the risk of more severe restrictions. Remember, your lawn only needs about 1-inch of water (about 1 hour of watering) per week to stay healthy.
If you require more information regarding the lawn watering program, please contact Engineering Services at 604-527-4592. Thank you for your cooperation.
Fines and REPORTING VIOLATIONS
Lawn watering outside of the allowed days and times is subject to a fine based on the current stage of lawn watering restrictions:
- Stage 1: $100
- Stage 2: $200
- Stage 3: $500
- Stage 4: $1,000
To report lawn watering violations, please contact Parking at 604-519-2010 or parking@newwestcity.ca. When reporting, please provide the following information:
- Address
- Date(s) and time(s) of the observed violation
- Location of watering (e.g. front lawn)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Lawn Watering FAQs
- Water Shortage Response Bylaw No. 6948
- Metro Vancouver Drinking Water Conservation Plan
- Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan: Summary
- Metro Vancouver's Drinking Water Conservation Plan FAQ's
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.The impacts of urban development can have large scale impacts to the natural environment and in particular to aquatic systems. In order to protect aquatic life from the impacts of sediment during land development and construction activities, the City implemented an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Bylaw 7754. The regulation outlines acceptable water quality standards and requires proactive planning and the implementation of effective ESC best management practices by property owners and developers to mitigate the risk of sediment release.
Building permit applicants for single family and duplex development are required to identify ESC measures that will be implemented. Applicants must complete and sign an Erosion & Sediment Control submission form for Single Detached/Duplex Resident Development. This ESC Best Management Practice Guide is helpful as a support document for the single family/duplex residential community.
For larger development and sites other than single family/duplex development, builders/developers are required to complete and sign the ESC submission form for large developments. ESC requirements for larger development include the creation of an ESC Plan and the insurance that an ESC Supervisor is retained. ESC Supervisor commitment form can be found here.
More information on ESC best management practices can be found in this Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) document: Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat. For information on city requirements related to concrete works and concrete washing activities during construction, please see this brochure.
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).