Water Conservation

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 $100.00 (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. 

Rain Barrel Installation with Fitting Sizes

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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 $100.00 (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, debit, or credit card)
• Recreation Centres (pay by cash, cheque, debit, or credit card)
• Pay over the phone (604-952-3000) 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 am and 3:00 pm. Rain barrels can also be delivered to your residence. Deliveries are scheduled every one to two weeks between the hours of 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm.

*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 can help you conserve water outdoors by preventing overwatering, timing outdoor sprinkling, and securing hose connections.

Each kit includes: 

• Spring-loaded water nozzle 

• Mechanical water timer 

• Hose washers

Kits can be purchased at Delta City Hall for $15 including tax.

Lawn watering allowed:

• Permit issued in Stage 1 remain in effect.

Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers allowed:

• On any day from 5:00 am to 9:00 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:

• Permit issued in Stage 1 remain in effect.

Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers allowed:

• On any day from 4:00 am to 9:00 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.

*Not in effect until May 1, 2025
*You will be now able to apply online for a watering exemption permit starting April 24, 2025

Watering exemption permits issued for Stage 1 of the Water Use Restriction General Order are for: 

• Newly established Lawns either by seeding or the laying of new sod or turf
• Nematode Treatment for European Chafer Beetle Control

Documentation is required for these treatments, including a receipt of purchase of seed, sod, and/or nematodes to apply for a permit.

No new permits issued or renewed after Stage 1.

Permit enables the subject property owner to water their new lawn and landscaping every day for a period of three weeks in accordance with the expiry date noted but is restricted to morning hours between:

• 5:00 am to 7:00 am for automatic watering 
• 6:00 am to 9:00 am for manual watering

Watering exemption permits can be issued 1 week in advance of the issuance date. Apply for a watering permit here.

Contact Delta’s Property Use and Compliance Division at 604-946-3340 to report a watering violation.

There is no cost to the homeowner for the installation of the water meter as part of this program. 

Water meters are installed on a first come first serve basis as part of the Voluntary Water Meter Program.

Fill out the on-line form or fill out the Voluntary Water Meter Brochure and or drop it off at City Hall (4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent) or email a copy to watermeters@delta.ca. 

Please note: The program is designed for single-family residential dwellings only and does not include duplexes or strata units.

Terms & Conditions:

•  Water meters are not to be tampered with after installation.
• Once installed, the water meter will not be removed, and the residence cannot revert back to the flat rate utility bill.

You can call the City of Delta’s engineering departmental at 604-946-3260 or email watermeters@delta.ca.

A door knocker notification will be placed on the property approximately 1 week in advance of installation. One of the workers will let the resident know on the day the meter is being installed since water will need to be temporarily turned off during the installation.

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Since the water meters and box are installed on Delta's side of the property line, access to the property is typically minimal. Access to the front boulevard and the water shut off will be needed. 

Either the Engineering Operations team will be installing the water meters or a utility services contractor may be hired by the City of Delta.

Water meter installation time varies. Typically, installation of the water meter and box takes one business day and often less than 3 hours. During installation, water is anticipated to be shut off for 30 to 60 minutes.

There will be a second visit and perhaps a third visit for surface restorations. Please note that City of Delta will do their best to restore impacted areas to existing or better conditions. 

Meter Boxes type is determined by Engineering Operations based on location. Meters that are installed in hard surfaces, like asphalt or concrete, are typically concrete with a metal lid and all others are plastic.

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DIMENSIONS 2.8 ft (0.86 m) L x  1.9 ft (0.58 m) W	DIMENSIONS 2.6 ft (0.78 m) L x  1.5 ft (0.45 m) W

Meters are installed in a below-ground box on Delta’s side of the property line, on-top of the water service line.

To have a better understanding of the property line around your residence, please visit DeltaMap.

In most cases, no. Meter boxes will be installed at the location of their current water service shutoff, on Delta’s side of the property line. 

Homeowners are not to touch the water meter. Access is only required to turn the water off to the property.

Delta owns the meter and will repair, service and replace the meter as needed unless the meter was damaged intentionally.