CRD Watering Restrictions

The Municipality of Saanich does not regulate watering restrictions. For your convenience we have provided information below about the CRD Bylaw that governs such restrictions. For more complete information, and questions, about this bylaw please contact the CRD or follow the link provided at the bottom of this page.

Water Conservation Bylaw in effect: May 1st- Sept 30th

Watering Schedule

Stage 1 Watering Restrictions

1. no person shall use a Sprinkler to water a lawn growing on a property with
   1. an even numbered address, except on Wednesday and Saturday between the hours of 4:00 am to 10:00 am and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm; and
   2. an odd numbered address, except on Thursday and Sunday between the hours of 4:00 am to 10:00 am and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm; and
2. a person may
   1. water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables on any day with a sprinkler during the prescribed hours for Stage 1 lawn watering and on any day at any time if watering is done by hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle;
   2. water newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables by any method during installation and for the following 24 hours;
   3. use Micro-irrigation or Drip-irrigation systems to water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables at any time on any day;
   4. under the authority of a Permit, water new sod on installation and during the first 21 days after installation, and water newly seeded lawns until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less, but only during the prescribed Stage 1 lawn watering hours;
   5. water all weather playing fields at any time if failure to do so will result in a permanent loss of plant material; and
   6. wash a vehicle with water using a hand held container or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle and at car dealerships or commercial car washes.

Stage 1 Exceptions

1. Owners or Occupiers of property who, by reason of physical or mental incapacity, are unable to water their property within the restricted days and times, may water their property on any two days of the week for a maximum of 9 hours per day;
2. Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempted from the restrictions;
3. Public Authorities may water lawns and Boulevards on any day but no more than two days per week; and
4. Owners or operators of golf courses may water
   1. fairways at any time on any day;
   2. trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables grown on golf courses in accordance with Section 1(1) (b) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Schedule; and
   3. golf greens and tees on any day if failure to do so will result in permanent loss of plant material.

For more information about this Bylaw visit the CRD water site.
The above site also has conservation tips, a FAQ
page, and the Sooke Reservoir Water Watch.