Abbotsford and Mission’s water restrictions follow four stages, which are tied to the level of Dickson Lake and Maclure Reservoir. Dickson Lake is the main source of drinking water for both communities. As the level of our lake gets lower, our restrictions get higher!
Stage 3 Water Restrictions In Effect
Stage 3 restrictions prohibit all lawn sprinkling in both communities, but hand watering of lawns is allowed with a hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut off device or hand-held container. Garden irrigation, watering of flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables may be carried out using a hand-held wand, a hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut off device or micro/drip irrigation.
Clearbrook Waterworks District requests that all of its residents/customers adhere to the staged watering restrictions prescribed by the City of Abbotsford.
FAQs: Stage 3 Water Restrictions
In support of the provincial government’s plea to conserve water due to worsening drought conditions across the province and being proactive to address any potential shortages the Abbotsford Mission Water and Sewer Commission is moving to Stage 3 Water Restrictions effective Friday, August 4, 2023.
All lawn sprinkling is banned, but hand watering of lawns is allowed with a hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut off device or hand-held container.
Garden irrigation, watering of flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables may be carried out using a hand-held wand, a hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut off device or micro/drip irrigation at any time on any day. Manual sprinklers are prohibited. Please try to water in the morning or evening when the sun won't evaporate most of the water. Also, keep in mind that most plants only require 1 inch of water per week.
No, new lawn sprinkling permits are not being issued.
All forms of vehicle and boat washing are prohibited, except for windows, lights and licenses.
All forms of impermeable surface washing are prohibited unless required to comply with health and safety regulations.
All filling and refilling of pools, spas, or garden ponds is prohibited.
Parks and playing fields are a community-based asset. A lot of money goes into keeping them in good condition for the public to enjoy. During the Stage 3 restrictions, sand-based fields are watered on alternate days and soil-based twice a week between 11pm and 8am. The playing fields will be monitored throughout the summer and watering levels will be adjusted accordingly to keep the areas in useable condition.
FAQs: Stage 2 Water Restrictions
Even numbered addresses may use a sprinkler to water the lawn on Saturday, between the hours of 6:00 am to 8:00 am only.
Odd numbered addresses may use a sprinkler to water the lawn on Sunday, between the hours of 6:00 am to 8:00 am only.
Garden irrigation, watering of flowers, shrubs and vegetables may be carried out using a hand-held wand, a hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut off device or a sprinkler at any time on any day. However, please try to water in the morning or evening when the sun won't evaporate most of the water. Also, keep in mind that most plants only require 1 inch of water per week.
Yes, but only with a permit. Permits are for 2 weeks and watering can be done every day from 6:00 am to 8:00 am for $50.00 in May, June and September and $100.00 in July and August. Permits can be bought at Abbotsford and Mission Engineering Departments. We recommend that you wait until the Fall to lay new sod or seed.
Yes, you may wash your vehicle or boat anytime using a hand held container or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle, preferably on grass or gravel areas and at car dealerships or commercial car washes.
Yes, but use no more water than necessary to complete the task and the hose must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Cleaning hard surfaces and driveways with a broom is the most water efficient method.
Yes. You may use water to fill wading pools, swimming pools, hot tubs, or garden ponds, but consider using covers to reduce water loss through evaporation.
FAQs: Water Restrictions and Conservation
All Abbotsford and Mission residents and businesses receiving water from the municipal system, including City operations, must comply with watering restrictions according to the bylaw. Residents supplied by private wells are exempt.
Due to high peak water demands in the summer, the AMWSC implements water restrictions each year. Water restrictions are based on the level of Dickson Lake that feeds Norrish Creek. Tighter restrictions are implemented as the level of the lake drops. Most years the region stays in Stage 1, but in years when there is a low snowpack or no snowpack like 2015, tighter restrictions are implemented. Water restrictions help ensure that Abbotsford and Mission residents continue to have a high quality water supply capable of supporting a growing population.
Yes, the treated water from your tap is as safe to drink as usual. When a water shortage is announced, we are experiencing difficulties producing the volume of water necessary to meet all of Abbotsford and Mission needs. It does not indicate that your water quality has deteriorated in any way.
From May 1 to October 31.
Abbotsford and Mission both enforce the watering restrictions. The fines are as follows:
Non-Compliance Abbotsford Mission Stage One $500 $250 Stage Two $500 $250 Stage Three $500 $500 Stage Four $500 $500 Please Note: Fines for all stages of water restrictions follow the City of Abbotsford Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw General Penalty: $500 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by bylaw notice.
If you know your neighbour you may first want to ensure they are aware of the outdoor lawn sprinkling restrictions. Otherwise, call 604-864-5514 in Abbotsford or email waterrestrictions@abbotsford.ca and in Mission call 604-820-3761 or email pworksadmin@mission.ca.
In townhouses and other complexes, you determine your watering day based on your complex address number and not your unit number.
No, residents are only allowed to water according to the assigned day of their municipal address. The alternative is to hire a contractor or ask a friend or neighbour to water their lawn for them during the approved times.
An inexpensive timer can be purchased at City Hall to use on your sprinkler which will turn off your sprinkler when you are gone.
FAQs: Stage 1 Water Restrictions
Even numbered addresses may use a sprinkler to water the lawn on Wednesday and Saturday, between the hours of 6:00 am to 8:00 am only.
Odd numbered addresses may use a sprinkler to water the lawn on Thursday and Sunday, between the hours of 6:00 am to 8:00 am only.
Garden irrigation, watering of flowers, shrubs and vegetables may be carried out using a hand-held wand, a hose equipped with a spring-loaded shut off device or a sprinkler at any time on any day. However, please try to water in the morning or evening when the sun won't evaporate most of the water. Also, keep in mind that most plants only require 1 inch of water per week.
Yes, you can purchase a sprinkling permit for two weeks. Sprinkling can be done every day from 6:00am to 8:00am for $50.00 in May, June and September and $100 in July and August in Abbotsford and $103 in Mission.
Permits can be bought at Abbotsford and Mission Engineering Departments.Yes, you can get a sprinkling permit to water for two weeks after you apply the nematodes. Sprinkling can be done every day from 6:00 am to 8:00 am for the two week period. May, June and September is $50 and July and August is $100. Learn more about the European Chafer Beetle.
Permits can be bought at Abbotsford and Mission Engineering Departments.Yes, you may wash your vehicle or boat anytime using a hand held container or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle, preferably on grass or gravel areas and at car dealerships or commercial car washes.
Yes, but use no more water than necessary to complete the task and the hose must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Cleaning hard surfaces and driveways with a broom is the most water efficient method.
Yes. You may use water to fill wading pools, swimming pools, hot tubs, or garden ponds, but consider using covers to reduce water loss through evaporation.
Yes, but please remember to turn the sprinkler off and not to run it too long.