Stage 1 Outdoor Water Restrictions in effect
As we continue to make progress on stabilizing the water distribution system following the Bearspaw South Feeder Main repairs, we are gradually lifting restrictions while making sure water supply can meet demand.
Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions are in place for all residences and businesses along with City of Calgary operations. Violations may lead to fines starting at $400.
Our regional customers including the City of Airdrie, the City of Chestermere, Tsuut’ina Nation and the Town of Strathmore, also have water restrictions in place and are asking residents and businesses to reduce their water use.
On this page
Allowed at certain times during Stage 1 Outdoor Water Restrictions
Do Sprinkler use is allowed 2 hrs/week during set days/times
Sprinklers and in-ground sprinkling systems to water your lawn, trees, gardens and shrubs can be used during the following sprinkler schedule with even-numbered addresses watering some days, and odd-numbered addresses on watering on different days.
Tip: You can split the two hours over the course of a day, during the designated times, or between the two days you are allowed to water, as long as it does not exceed two hours per week.
Using an address-based set sprinkler schedule helps us spread water demand evenly across the city and effectively manage our supply.
Sprinkler schedule - Individual unit or residences
Use the last digit of your house or unit number.
Even number addresses (0,2,4,6,8)
For example: 32 31 Avenue S.W.
Up to two hours a week Wednesday or Saturday
- 4 a.m. - 7 a.m.; or
- 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.; or
- 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Odd number addresses (1,3,5,7,9)
For example: 2355 22 Street N.W.
Up to two hours a week
Thursday or Sunday
- 4 a.m. - 7 a.m.; or
- 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.; or
- 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sprinkler Schedule - Multi-unit properties:
Use the street address of your building.
Multi-unit residential or business properties with a common irrigation system that spans multiple addresses or units are allowed to water on one even day per week (Wednesday or Saturday for two hours total) and one odd day per week (Thursday or Sunday for two hours total).
This allows for a total of four hours per week for that entire parcel, regardless of the number of units or irrigation zones.
Allowed any day and at any time during Stage 1 Outdoor Water Restrictions:
Do Water with a hose (excluding lawns)
Water gardens, trees and shrubs with a hose attached to a trigger spray nozzle/watering wand or drip irrigation with an automatic shut off.
Tip: To maximize your water use and use it wisely, water in the early morning or in the evening, water each plant slowly and at its base, and check the soil moisture before and after to determine if water is needed.
Do Use a watering can
Water gardens, trees and shrubs using a watering can or container.
Tip: To maximize your water use and use it wisely, water in the early morning or in the evening, water each plant slowly and at its base, and check the soil moisture before and after to determine if water is needed.
Do Water new grass with a sprinkler or irrigation system
- Sod can be watered within the first 21 days of being installed.
- Lawn seed can be watered within the first 45 days of being planted.
Tip: Water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
Do Use water for construction purposes
- Dust suppression, compaction, concrete mixing and other construction related activities.
- Maintenance activities for irrigation systems.
Do Use water for home renovation projects
For example, washing surfaces such as driveways to prepare for paving/sealing or washing a home prior to painting.
Do Use water for pesticide or fertilizer application
The Director of Water Services has granted an exemption under Stage 1 restrictions to allow the use of potable water for fertilizer and pesticide application.
Do Fill outdoor pools
Public and residential swimming and wading pools, hot tubs and spray parks.
Please try to use a pool cover to keep water clean and reduce evaporation.
Not allowed during Stage 1 Outdoor Water Restrictions
Don't Wash outdoor surfaces
This includes:
- windows
- exterior building surfaces
- sidewalks, driveways, or walkways.
Note: Manual window washing by certified companies is allowed, other window washing is not.
Tip: As an alternative, use a broom to clean hard surfaces
Don't Fill fountains
No filling of fountains or decorative water features.
Filling a bird bath is okay.
Don't Wash your car with water in the driveway or street
Bringing your vehicle to a car wash is okay.
Complaints related to watering restrictions
You can submit Water Restrictions and Misuse (Bylaw) requests
- Sprinkler use outside of the sprinkler schedule days/times
- Overwatering
- Water running onto the street/sidewalk
- Broken equipment leaking water
-
Tips on how you can maintain a healthy yard when we are trying to conserve water use.
For businesses
The following outdoor water use is also allowed in Stage 1 for health and safety reasons or for core business needs:
- Watering plants, shrubs and trees for commercial sale.
- Watering of new grass plantings (sod or seed) with reasonable evidence of recent installation.
- Sod for up to 21 days after planting, seed for up to 45 days after planting.
- New sod or seed can be watered using any method, including sprinklers, hoses and irrigation systems.
- Watering gardens, trees, and shrubs on Water Managed Sites
- Allowed with sprinklers connected to a Water Managed System at any time of day, within the specified water use reductions.
- Watering gardens, trees and shrubs that are being installed as part of an infrastructure construction project (e.g. new development, utility infrastructure project, riparian habitat restoration).
- Can be watered using any method, including sprinklers, hoses, irrigation systems and/or water trucks for newly planted boulevard trees in an established area.
- Washing outdoor surfaces for daycares and dayhomes, restaurants, kennels and animal care facilities.
- Washing of vehicles indoors or outdoors to follow health and safety regulations.
- Washing exterior windows and operating car washes provided by licensed businesses.
- Using water for building maintenance activities (e.g. pressure washing refrigeration units, locating building envelope leaks).
- Using water to conduct maintenance and associated activities of irrigation systems in both residential and commercial settings.
- While not a bylaw exemption, all commercial, industrial and institutional customers may apply to become a Certified Water Managed Site which allows some leniency with restrictions.
Applying for a Water Managed Site
The City encourages customers to submit Water Managed Site applications for review this season.
While there were delays related to the feeder main break, we are committed to reviewing and responding to applications as quickly as possible.
Outdoor water restrictions stages
There are four stages of mandatory outdoor water restrictions depending on the need to limit water usage. The following table explains how and when you can use water outdoors during the various stages.
| Stage 4 | Stage 3 | Stage 2 | Stage 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sprinklers and in-ground sprinkling system to water your lawn, trees, gardens and shrubs |
No |
No |
Yes - 1 hour/week
Watering is allowed between:
|
Yes - 2 hours/week
Watering is allowed between:
|
|
Hose watering* gardens, trees and shrubs *If you are using a hose to water your lawn, you must follow the watering schedule.
|
No |
No |
Yes - Any day/time Only with a trigger spray nozzle/watering wand, or drip irrigation with an automatic shut off |
Yes - Any day/time Only with a trigger spray nozzle/watering wand, or drip irrigation with an automatic shut off |
|
Hand watering gardens, trees and shrubs |
No |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
|
Watering new grass Water new sod (planted within 21 days) or lawn seed (planted within 45 days) with a sprinkler or hose |
No |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
|
Washing outdoors (cars, windows, exterior building surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or walkways) |
No |
No |
No Note: Manual window washing by certified companies is allowed, other window washing is not. |
No Note: Manual window washing by certified companies is allowed, other window washing is not. |
|
Filling outdoor pools or hot tubs |
No |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
|
Filling fountains and other decorative features |
No |
No |
No Excluding bird baths |
No |
|
Outdoor water use for construction purposes (e.g. dust suppression, compaction, on-site concrete mixing and other construction related activities, and maintenance activities for irrigation systems) |
No |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
|
Water use for home renovation projects (e.g. washing surfaces such as driveways to prepare for paving/sealing or washing a home prior to painting) |
No |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |
|
Water use for pesticide and fertilizer application |
No |
No |
Yes Any day/time |
Yes Any day/time |