Services
Water Conservation Regulations
Stage 1 water conservation regulations are in effect for all zones in Gibsons from May 1 to October 15.
About Water Regulations
Water regulations are in place from May 1 to October 15 every year to promote sustainable water use and ensure supply for essential needs like firefighting. Thanks to ongoing aquifer monitoring and community conservation efforts, Gibsons’ water supply remains healthy and reliable. Since outdoor water use is significantly higher in the drier months, seasonal regulations help manage use, protect infrastructure, and support environmental health.
Not sure if you’re in the Town or the SCRD? Search for your address here.
Have questions? Visit our FAQ page.
Regulation Stages
+ 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, and 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, and 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.
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
Water Conservation Tips
Outdoor
Collect rainwater for watering the garden by using a rain barrel or rain harvesting system.
Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. Many native plants can survive on rainwater alone. Practice xeriscaping or look for plants with the low water use sticker.
- Add a few inches of mulch to your gardens to keeps plant roots cool and moist. Organic mulches (e.g. grass clippings) also release nutrients back into the soil.
Let your lawn go brown. If you do sprinkle it, do so in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation by up to 75%.
Indoor
Drinking Water: Fill the pitcher and place it in the fridge for coll, ready-to drink water. (Running the tap to cool water loses 12 litres per minute)
Showers: Keep showers to 5 minutes. Each minute in the shower uses 10 litres of drinking water.
- Toilets: Flush only when necessary. Please do not use toilets to flush other types of waste.
Replace conventional toilets with low-flow or high-efficiency toilets. They use only 3-6 litres per flush instead of 18 litres, saving a lot of water!
Dishwashing: Use basins or a plugged sink when washing by hand. Run dishwashers when full.
Laundry: Run only full loads.
