About Conservation Regulations
Water conservation levels are intended to help support sustainable water use throughout the year.
Gibsons’ aquifer monitoring program continues to show that our water supply is in good health and can easily meet our average daily demands. The community has made great strides with water conservation over the last several years.
Since water demand significantly increases during the dryer months, conservation regulations are in place to help stabilize our water use throughout the year. This is to ensure that:
- there is ample water readily available for firefighting emergencies,
- that we adhere to our licensed water allocation,
- optimize our pumping and well capacities, and
- alleviate strain on both our infrastructure and the environment.
Subsequent stages are put into place on an as-needed basis, depending on the water usage that occurs through the dryer summer months.
*If you’re unsure if you’re within the Town of Gibsons or the SCRD, you can search for your address here.
For frequently asked questions about Gibsons’ water, check out the FAQ page.
Current Regulations
+ Click on a ‘stage’ below to view the regulations.
Using a sprinkler or soaker hose to water lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables
7-9 am & 7-9 pm
Even addresses: Tues, Thurs, Sun
Odd addresses: Mon, Wed, Sat
*Watering an unestablished new lawn requires a permit. The permit must be displayed on the lawn
Hand watering trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables, including greenhouse plants
Hand watering lawns
Washing vehicles or boats
Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows, fences or exterior building surfaces
Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, decorative fountains
Ok
Fines for infractions
$100
Using a sprinkler or soaker hose to water lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables
Ok between 7 am to 9 am on specific days.
- Even addresses: Thurs, Sun 7-9 am
- Odd addresses: Wed, Sat 7-9 am
*Watering unestablished new lawns: As per existing permits. No new permits issued
Hand watering trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables, including greenhouse plants
Hand watering lawns
Washing vehicles or boats
Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows, fences or exterior building surfaces
Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, decorative fountains
Ok
Fines for infractions
$200
Using a sprinkler or soaker hose to water lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables
Not allowed except with micro/drip irrigation
*Watering unestablished new lawns: Not allowed
Hand watering trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables, including greenhouse plants
Hand watering lawns
Not allowed
Washing vehicles or boats
Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows, fences or exterior building surfaces
Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, decorative fountains
Not allowed
Fines for infractions
$300
Using a sprinkler or soaker hose to water lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables
Not allowed
*Watering unestablished new lawns: Not allowed
Hand watering trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables, including greenhouse plants
Hand watering lawns
Not allowed
Washing vehicles or boats
Not allowed
Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows, fences or exterior building surfaces
Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, decorative fountains
Not allowed
Fines for infractions
$400
FAQs
Yes. All water zones within the Town of Gibsons (1, 2 & 3) are required to follow the same conservation regulations.
- Water use significantly increases in the dryer months, it is important to keep conservation top of mind and to all make efforts to reduce our use.
- The water license we hold with the Province of BC limits the amount of water we can draw from the Aquifer, so we need to manage our water use in order to adhere to our limits.
- Climate change is dramatically affecting what we consider to be “normal” conditions. We all need to adopt a more conservation-minded approach to our water use. Regardless of the abundance of water available, we still need to keep water conservation top of mind.
The WATER REGULATION BYLAW No. 1192, 2014 sets out the regulations. Repeated failure to comply with the bylaw may result in fines.
If you have a concern about water conservation or sprinkling, please call 604-886-2274 or email us at: info@gibsons.ca.
Here are some of the reasons why we need to conserve water:
For the Environment
Water conservation is vital for protecting our aquifer and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. By reducing our water usage, we alleviate pressure on the system, safeguarding natural habitats and biodiversity for generations to come.
For our Community
As License holders and co-stewards of Aquifer 560, it’s our responsibility to conserve water for the well-being of our community. By conserving now, we ensure there’s enough water readily available to meet our needs at home and business], and for essential services like fire protection.
For the Economy
Every drop counts not just for the environment but also for our town’s finances. By limiting our water usage, we avoid costly upgrades to our water infrastructure and stay within the limits of our water license, saving valuable financial resources.
For more information on why and how we can conserve water, go to gibsons.ca/water-conservation/ing
