Coquitlam residents caught breaking Metro Vancouver’s watering rules could soon face even steeper fines.
The city is considering a proposal that would see the amount violators have to pay increase as Metro’s water restrictions move to higher levels.
Residents who water outside designated times when stage 1 restrictions are in place would still pay the current $75 fine but the number would double for stage 2 violations to $150. The fine for stage 3, which was declared by Metro Vancouver on Monday, would be $300, while stage 4 violators would be fined $500. Fines could be reduced if paid within 14 days.
“We are at a point where we are reaching unprecedented levels this year,” Mayor Richard Stewart said during Monday’s council meeting. “Never before have we had water levels this low.”
On Monday, Metro Vancouver increased the water restrictions to stage 3, banning all lawn sprinkling in the region. The decision came after the drinking water supply in Metro’s reservoirs declined again to 69% of capacity.
It is not just lawn watering violations that can lead to fines.
Stage 3 also bans refilling of hot tubs, pools and garden ponds, and prohibits the washing of boats or vehicles, among other tighter restrictions on outdoor water use.
It can take up to 72 hours before individual municipalities begin enforcement.
For Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody residents, the change also means that even residents with watering exemptions for new lawns and nematode treatments will have to let their grass go brown until further notice.
“All permits that have been issued for nematode treatments are now null and void,” said Steffanie Warriner, Coquitlam’s manager of environmental services. “All residents were advised of this potential when their permits were issued.”
Over the last month, the city of Coquitlam has issued 117 new lawn permits and 492 permits for nematode application. In Port Coquitlam, 199 nematode permits have been issued while Port Moody has handed out 249 lawn watering exemptions.
“As we are dealing with unprecedented low-water conditions, it is imperative that everyone work to conserve water as much as possible,” Warriner said. “Until conditions improve with the regional water supply, this will be the priority.”
A large group of homeowners living in the wildland/urban interface areas of Coquitlam are still permitted to water their lawns during certain designated times. The relaxation only applies to specific properties, which are listed at www.coquitlam.ca/firerating.
The sprinkling ban covers not just residential and commercial lawns but all parks, cemeteries and boulevards. Sports fields and school yards can still be watered at minimal levels to keep them playable. Golf courses can still water greens and tee areas but the move to stage 3 means fairways can no longer be watered.
Residents can still water shrubs, trees, vegetable and flower gardens using handheld hoses but only if they have a spring-loaded shutoff nozzle. Watering cans and drip irrigation systems are still allowed but there’s no watering of gardens or planters using sprinklers or soaker hoses.
Hosing off vehicles and surfaces and all forms of pressure washing are also banned, except for health and safety purposes, as well as commercial pressure washing to prepare a surface for painting or sealing.
That means all outdoor car and boat washing is now banned except for cleaning windows, lights and licence plates for safety.
Stage 3 restrictions are expected to remain in place until Sept. 30.
