Metro Vancouver to lift Stage 3 water restrictions after Stanley Park line reopens

VANCOUVER — Residents in Metro Vancouver will soon be able to start topping up their pools and hot tubs, as well as washing their vehicles and boats at home as the regional district lifts some of its water restrictions.

Metro Vancouver is lifting Stage 3 water restrictions starting on Thursday after a key supply tunnel has reopened following construction work.

Residents will also be allowed use sprinklers and hoses for watering landscaping and trees, although lawn watering remains prohibited.

The restrictions are being eased after the First Narrows Crossing water supply tunnel through Stanley Park returned to service.

The supply line’s closing, along with low snowpack levels and warm weather to start the summer, triggered the Stage 3 restrictions in early June, with the regional district closely tracking consumption to make sure supply didn’t run out before fall.

A statement from the regional district says daily consumption peaked at 1.37 billion litres, below the Metro Vancouver-imposed 1.4 billion litres target during the restrictions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2026.

The Canadian Press