Abbotsford moves to stage 2 water restrictions ahead of hotter summer forecast

CHILLIWACK — Abbotsford is moving on to the next stage of water restrictions as the city experiences drier conditions ahead of a hotter summer.

Starting Monday, July 28, stage 2 water restrictions will be implemented to help residents and businesses conserve resources throughout the season. These include:

• Prohibited lawn watering
• Limited watering methods for gardens, trees, and shrubs – automated sprinklers can only be used between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. for residents, and between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. for all other water users.
• Prohibited washing on driveways, sidewalks and buildings unless required for health and safety or if preparing the surface for treatment.
• Minimum water use for commercial flower and vegetable farms within the Urban Development Area.
• Alternating water days for soil-based school and community sport fields.

Vegetable and fruit gardens are exempt from these restrictions.

Full details and tips are available through the Abbotsford Mission Water and Sewer Commission’s website.

The BC Drought Information portal shows a mild drought on the Sumas River near Huntingdon. The Chilliwack River at Vedder Crossing is at level 4 as of today (July 18), indicating an extreme drought.