Image: Pattison Media / File

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Drought

Stage 3 water restrictions in place in Abbotsford and Mission

Aug 4, 2023 | 11:51 AM

ABBOTSFORD — The Abbotsford Mission Water and Sewer Commission (AMWSC) has implemented Stage 3 Water Restrictions in Abbotsford and Mission. The restrictions became effective immediately when they were announced in a news release Friday (Aug. 4).

The move comes as the region undergoes prolonged dry weather and worsening drought conditions across the province. The Commission says increasing restrictions will help to maintain a sustainable and reliable water supply. The move is expected to prevent shortages during periods of high demand, such as extreme heat.

Residents are no longer allowed to use a sprinkler to water their lawns and gardens. Instead, watering will only be allowed through a container or a spring-loaded water device on a hose.

This is not the time to sod your yard. No new Lawn Sprinkling Permits will be issued or renewed and existing permits will be honored until they expire.

Those with pools, spas or garden ponds are not allowed to fill their systems under the new restrictions.

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Spraying down your driveway or sidewalks is prohibited and washing your vehicle or boat at home is also off-limits.

Flower and vegetable businesses will be able to access limited amounts of water and commercial car washes will be allowed to continue to operate, but only if it has a water recirculation system.

School and community sports fields can be maintained with sprinkling twice a week between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. Golf courses will be restricted to watering tee boxes and greens only. Watering of fairways is prohibited.

The AMWSC is asking residents to follow simple conservation methods to conserve water, including taking shorter showers and turning off the tap while brushing teeth or washing dishes.

Stage 3 restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect until October, 31. However, the AMWSC says it will continue monitoring water supplies and lake levels and may downgrade the restrictions if drought conditions improve.