Wednesday June 2nd, 2010 - Coquitlam In Stage One of City Mandated Water Restrictions

The first stage of water restrictions have been implemented in Coquitlam. As of June 1st residents will be limited to watering their lawns twice a week. Even numbered addresses will be permitted to water on Wednesdays and Saturday from between 4am and 9am or 7pm to 10pm. Those with odd numbered addresses can water on Thursdays and Sundays, same time periods.

It is possible the water restrictions will go to stage two if the city experiences hotter temperatures or water usage increases, restricting residents to lawn watering once a week. Beyond stage two, lawn watering will be forbidden. Residents will be allowed to water shrubs, flowers and plants in planter boxes by hand. Violators of the restrictions will be warned and could face fines of up to $100 for repeated offences.

An unusually warm winter helped to prematurely deplete the mountain snow pack. Combined with less than average rainfall, British Columbia is looking at drought conditions. This is apt to affect not only city water use but fire conditions throughout the province.

The mayor and city council members are holding a Coquitlam town meeting Saturday June 5th to discuss this and other issues affecting the community. Scheduled meeting hours are 11am to 3pm at the Centennial Pavilion at 620 Poirier Street, in the Centennial Room.