Seasonal water restrictions take effect in Abbotsford-Mission

ABBOTSFORD — The Cities of Abbotsford and Mission have now implemented stage 1 water restrictions as part of seasonal efforts to conserve limited water resources during the hottest time of year.

In Abbotsford, stage 1 restrictions state that all lawn watering is limited to once a week, with even-numbered addresses allowed on Saturdays and odd-numbered addresses on Sundays.

Non-residential and mixed-use lawns at even-numbered addresses may be watered on Mondays. Odd-numbered addresses can go on Tuesdays. 

Automatic watering is allowed in residential properties from 5 to 7 a.m., and manual watering from 6 to 9 a.m. Non-residential properties can each do so between 4 and 6 a.m. and between 6 and 9 a.m., respectively.

Mission residents with even addresses water on Saturday, and those with odd addresses water on Sunday. Manual watering is permitted between 6-9 a.m., and automatic watering is permitted between 5-7 a.m.

Trees, shrubs and decorative gardens may be watered daily before 9 a.m. Food-bearing gardens are exempt from restrictions until stage 4 in both municipalities.

“While our water system can easily meet average day demands, our summer demands can be much higher,” said the City of Mission. “Water restrictions are in place to benefit the whole community and ensure that we continue to have a reliable quantity of water available all summer.”

The City of Abbotsford is also asking residents and businesses to let their lawns naturally go dormant during dry periods until wetter conditions return.

Abbotsford Mission Water and Sewer Commission staff will monitor water resources, drought conditions and critical infrastructure throughout the season and move into a higher stage of restrictions if needed.