All Municipalities at Outdoor Water Use Stage 2 : May 31 - September 30, 2007

Our Outdoor Water Use program is based on staged outdoor water use restrictions that come into effect when there is a drought, or when drinking water storage runs low. Rules for using water outside will change depending on how severe water shortages are.

Who is affected?
The new by-law applies to non-essential residential water uses, such as lawn and garden watering, and vehicle washing. It is applicable to both urban water users and those served by small rural water supply systems. The new by-law applies to businesses and institutions that water their lawns and gardens, but would not apply to their profit-making ventures.

The New Rules
Outdoor Water Use Stage 1 occurs when the weather is not too dry, and residents are not placing too high a demand on our water resources. At Stage 1, residents are asked to abide by the odd-even outdoor water use rules (odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered days, and even-numbered addresses water on even-numbered days).

Outdoor Water Use Stage 2 is announced when drought conditions occur, or if water in storage is starting to run low. Residents will be asked to follow a new once-per-week watering schedule, among other restrictions. For more information, check out our Stage 2 FAQs.

If water-use reduction efforts at Stage 2 are unsuccessful in preventing a water emergency, or if drought conditions worsen, Outdoor Water Use Stage 3 will come into effect. At Stage 3, nearly all outdoor water use is completely restricted, including lawn watering.

Wasting water is prohibited at all times.

Enforcement
At Stage 1, the odd-even watering days are enforced by the area municipalities.

Regional By-law Enforcement officers will be issuing tickets for program non-compliance in Stage 2 and Stage 3.

For More Info
For more information or to obtain a copy of the new outdoor water use by-law, please contact Water Efficiency at watercycle@region.waterloo.on.ca, or call 519-575-4021.