The Stage 1 Watering Schedule of the Water Conservation Bylaw for the Regional Water Supply System (Greater Victoria) is in effect May 1 through September 30, each and every year, unless more stringent water conservation measures are required.

Water Conservation Bylaw

The CRD Water Conservation Bylaw 4099 applies to any customers of the Regional Water Supply System receiving drinking water from the Sooke Lake Reservoir in the Greater Victoria area, including residential, commercial, institutional and municipal properties.

Odd Addresses Even Addresses
Thursdays & Sundays
Lawn watering allowed by any method:
4-10am and 7-10pm 
*NEW*
Lawn watering allowed by timed/automatic irrigation system:
12:01-10 am and 7-10 pm		 Wednesdays & Saturdays
Lawn watering allowed by any method:
4-10am and 7-10pm
*NEW*
Lawn watering allowed by timed/automatic irrigation system:
12:01-10 am and 7-10 pm

*For multi-unit properties, the street address applies, not the individual unit number.

Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens may be watered by a hand-held hose with a shut-off device or hand held container, or micro/drip irrigation system, on any day at any time.

Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens may be watered with a sprinkler on any day, but only during the designated watering times 4-10am and 7-10pm.

Municipalities may water lawns and boulevards on Monday and Fridays during the hours of 1-10am and 7-10pm.

Help Protect Our Drinking Water

In recent summers the CRD’s water distribution system has experienced challenges due to high, sudden demands because of region-wide irrigation system programs that all start at the same time. Particularly at 4:00 a.m., 5:00 a.m., and 6:00 a.m. on residential lawn watering days, water demand can double with instantaneous increases that fall on the hour. This effect is dramatic in the summer when indoor and outdoor morning water demands overlap and put excessive pressure on the water supply infrastructure.

High and sudden demands for water impact the system’s ability to maintain adequate flow, pressure, and high-water quality standards. To help alleviate this issue, CRD added a new lawn watering time (12:01-10 am) to the Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 for timed irrigation systems only.

The water system needs more automatic/timed irrigation systems to start between 12 am to 3 am. You can help CRD solve this problem:

  • Switch to the new overnight lawn watering schedule for timed irrigation systems. Need help changing your irrigation controller? We can help! Learn more here. Aim for your system to start between 12 am and 3 am to help make an impact.
  • Stagger your irrigation system start time off the top of the hour to reduce the instantaneous demand. Pick a random time like 2:23, 1:41, 3:12.
  • Practice water wise habits for lawns and gardens!
  • If you can, water flowers, veggies, trees and shrubs on non-lawn watering days. The watering schedule days only apply to lawns!
  • Don’t have a greenspace? You can still help! Refrain from using large amounts of water before 10 am, like starting your dishwasher or washing machine.

Make every drop count

  • Go golden. Lawns naturally go dormant in the summer months and return with fall rains.
  • Green lawns only need one inch (2.5cm) of water per week, including rainfall during the hottest, driest weeks of the year.
  • Use cycle and soak watering with three short bursts of water to allow it to seep into the soil, reducing runoff and water waste.
  • Garden with drought tolerant native plants.
  • Water wisely. Water trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens at the root and use mulch to hold in moisture - water with a container or hose with a shut-off nozzle.
  • Clean smart. Avoid washing vehicles or boats unnecessarily, unless for safety reasons (windows and headlights).
  • Sweep outdoor surfaces such as driveways or decks with a broom instead of using a hose or power washing.