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People walk on the beach during low tide in Vancouver, Sunday, July 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
By The Canadian Press

Metro Vancouver is asked to meet and exceed water restrictions as temperatures soar

Jun 13, 2026 | 2:13 PM

VICTORIA — New figures show residents in Greater Vancouver are meeting targets to keep water flowing, but regional officials are also urging them to keep saving water as temperatures rise.

Metro Vancouver says in a statement that residents on Friday used 1.22 billion litres of water, which means daily water use was below the target figure of 1.4 billion under existing water restrictions.

But the regional authority says water use increases significantly during hot spells and Environment Canada says regional temperatures could range between a low of 24 C at the water and 31 C inland by Sunday.

Current restrictions prohibit the use of sprinklers and soaker hoses, but Metro Vancouver says it is urging residents to take extra steps, if possible, to further reduce their outdoor water use.

The regional authority says keeping daily water use under 1.4 billion will prevent a drop in water pressure, noting that lower pressure could affect the ability of first responders to use water for emergencies.

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Metro Vancouver has set the current regional water use target while it upgrades its water supply infrastructure.

“If everyone keeps their sprinklers off, we can meet this reasonable target,” Mike Hurley, chair of Metro Vancouver, said in a statement issued Friday.

Hurley said residents should skip using water outdoors if it is not essential.

Metro Vancouver says the work on its water supply system involves connecting to infrastructure that is a century old.

Once crews have constructed a bypass, the so-called First Narrows Crossing can come back online again.

Authorities say that will allow construction of the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel to resume for the next several years.

Metro Vancouver says construction of the bypass is expected to be completed at the end of July, and it says current water restrictions could be lifted then if conditions allow it.

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

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

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