Water Conservation
Water is essential to our daily lives. We use it to cook, clean, nourish our bodies, and keep our gardens green and growing. However, it is important to use water appropriately and efficiently.
Delta's Water Conservation Initiatives
The City of Delta has a number of water conservation initiatives available for residents to take part in.
Rain barrels are used to collect and store water for outdoor usage such as watering your garden, washing outside surfaces, and washing your car. Using rainwater will reduce the amount of tap water you use, which will save you money on your utility bill.
Delta offers rain barrels to residents for $70.00 (including tax and delivery).
The rain barrels are made from dark green recycled plastic and a half cylinder design, which allows them to sit flat up against a wall. Approximately 137 cm high, 53 cm deep and 107 cm wide, each barrel holds up to 341 liters (75 gallons) of water and weighs about 20.5 kg (when empty). When attached to the downspout of a residential home it can fill up with one day of rain.
Included with Rain Barrel
- Screen to remove debris
- Two faucets to accommodate hoses and watering cans
- PVC overflow pipe
- PVC plug
How to Purchase a Rain Barrel
The cost of a rain barrel is $70.00 (including tax and delivery) and they can be purchased through Delta using the following options:
- City Hall - Engineering Department (pay in-person by cash, cheque, or debit)
- Recreation Centres (pay by cash, cheque, or debit, or credit card)
- Pay over the phone by credit card at any Delta recreation centre
Once purchased, rain barrels can be picked up from the Engineering Operations Yard (5404 64 Street) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Rain barrels can also be delivered to your residence. Deliveries are scheduled every one to two weeks between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
*Must be a Delta resident to purchase a rain barrel. Proof of residency is required.
Questions? We're here to help! Contact us by email or by phone at 604-946-3260.
Delta's Outdoor Water Saver Kit helps residents conserve water outdoors. It allows residents to prevent over-watering, accurately time outdoor watering, secure hose connections, and measure water applied to yard (including precipitation).
Each kit includes:
- 1 Water Gun
- 1 Mechanical Water Timer
- 12 Hose Washers
- 2 Rain Gauges
How to Purchase an Outdoor Water Saver Kit
The cost of a kit is $15.00 (including tax) and can be purchased through Delta at:
- Municipal Hall-Engineering Department (pay in-person by cash, cheque, or debit card)
- Delta recreation centres (pay in-person by cash, cheque, debit, or credit card)
*Must be a Delta resident to purchase the kit. Proof of residency is required.
Questions? We're here to help! Contact us by email or by phone at 604-946-3260.
Water Metering Program
The City of Delta is installing water meters for the following:
- All existing and new industrial, commercial, agricultural, and institutional properties;
- All new developments, including Single-Family and Multi-Family Dwellings;
- All legal secondary suites properties;
- Anyone installing a new service from the City water main to the property line; and,
- Any properties undertaking major renovations.
Voluntary Water Metering Program – Single-Family Dwellings
Delta's Voluntary Water Metering Program is designed to enhance the quality of life in our community and prepare for future growth. Metering is an equitable method to charge for water that is based on a user-pay system. In that respect, it is consistent with other utility commodities such as natural gas and electricity–you only pay for the amount of water you use. Water metering helps you understand how much water your family consumes, and may even help change your daily habits.
How to Sign Up for the Voluntary Water Metering Program
Fill out the form on the Voluntary Water Meter Brochure and email or drop it off at City Hall (4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent).
Please note: The program is designed for single-family residential dwellings only and does not include duplexes or strata units.
Lawn Watering Regulations
Stage 1 of Metro Vancouver's Drinking Water Conservation Plan is in effect every year from May 1 to October 15.
Stage 1 water use regulations are in effect every year across the region to help conserve drinking water during the hot and dry summer months. During this time, watering lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers outside the designated days and times is prohibited. Violations may result in fines under Delta Water Service Bylaw No. 7441, 2016. Regulations apply to all properties including single-family and multi-family residential properties and commercial, institutional and industrial non-residential properties.
A healthy lawn only needs one hour of water a week including rain. For more information on waterwise lawn care, including lawn care schedules, visit Metro Vancouver’s Waterwise Lawn Care website.
For more details visit Metro Vancouver Lawn Watering Regulations.
Lawn watering allowed:
- Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 4 am to 9 am.
- Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday mornings from 4 am to 9 am.
Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers allowed:
- On any day from 4 am to 9 am if using a sprinkler.
- On any day at any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
- Edible plants are exempt from regulations.
Lawn watering allowed:
- Even-numbered addresses: Monday from 1 am to 6 am and Friday from 4 am to 9 am.
- Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday from 1 am to 6 am and Friday from 4 am to 9 am.
Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers allowed:
- On any day from 1 am to 9 am if using a sprinkler.
- On any day at any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.
- Edible plants are exempt from regulations.
If you plant a new lawn during the lawn watering regulations and require additional watering, you can apply for a temporary Watering Exemption Permit from City Hall (4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent). Permits are valid for 21 days and allow lawn watering seven days a week, between 4:00 am and 9:00 am. Permits must be displayed in a front window. The current rate for a watering exemption permit is $56 including taxes. Proof of purchase of lawn seed or sod is required.
Contact the Engineering Department at 604-946-3260 or email to request a permit.
Watering exemption permits are available for the application of nematodes to control the European chafer beetle. Nematodes are most effective when applied between late July and mid-August and require lawns to be thoroughly watered before and after application. Above permit conditions apply. Proof of nematode application is required (receipt for nematode purchase or notification from company providing nematode treatment service).
Contact Delta’s Property Use and Compliance Division at 604-946-3340 to report a watering violation.
FAQ's: Lawn Watering Regulations
Gardens, shrubs, trees, and decorative planters are subject to Stage 1 watering regulations as listed above.
The municipality's Bylaw Enforcement Officers enforce the watering regulations within Delta. Contact Delta's Property Use and Compliance Division at 604-946-3340 to report violations.
There are no restrictions for this in Stage 1. The intent of the regulation is to conserve water without causing economic hardship or affecting a business's livelihood. It is in the interest of businesses to use water as efficiently as possible, since most pay according to the amount they use.
Contact Delta’s Property Use and Compliance Division at 604-946-3340 to report watering violations.
The different stages of Lawn Watering Regulations can be seen in Metro Vancouver's Drinking Water Conservation Plan.
If you have a new lawn, you may apply for a Watering Exemption Permit from the Municipal Hall or North Delta Recreation Centre. Permits are valid for 21 days and allow lawn watering seven days a week between 4 am and 9 am. Permits must be clearly displayed in a front window. The current rate for a Watering Exemption Permit is $56 including taxes.
During Stage 1 watering regulations, washing vehicles and using a pressure washer is permitted. Hoses must have automatic shut-off devices.
Sprinkling regulations are meant to reduce water use in ways that do not cause serious economic hardship. Those users requiring water as part of a commercial operation are expected to conserve as much water as possible without resulting in a loss of business.
Unlike typical residential lawns, most sports fields are built on a sand base for better drainage. Sports turf grown on a sand base can die if not watered, and replacement costs are high.
Yes. Any watering system (hose-attached sprinkler, soaker hose, in-ground sprinkler, etc.) that is being used to water a lawn is subject to watering regulations as part of Stage 1 watering regulations.
Lawns naturally become dormant and turn brown during the hot summer weather but revive quickly in the fall after consistent rainfall. A healthy lawn only requires 2.5 cm (1”) of water a week which can be applied in about one hour of sprinkling.
Tip! Use a tuna can to measure how much water your sprinkler uses. A tuna can is about 2.5 cm deep so when it’s full, you’re done sprinkling for the week.
Summer is when Metro Vancouver uses the most water (up to 60% more than the rest of the year) and receives the least amount of rainfall. Restricting water use on lawns during the summer allows the region to effectively manage water distribution during peak use. Visit Metro Vancouver’s website for more information about regional conservation.