Conserving Water

Water Conservation Order

The Water Conservation Order has been in place since 2002 and applies to all outside uses of water in the City of St. John's. The conservation order was introduced to promote wise water use by residents and limits water use for certain activities. Failure to comply with this order may result in prosecution and imposition of a fine of up to $5,000.

Water Conservation Stages

To ensure a reliable water supply, the City has established four stages of water conservation. Each stage outlines specific rules based on seasonal conditions and system demand. All residents and businesses are expected to follow the requirements in effect.

Stage 1 (Normal Water Conservation) is in effect each year from May 1 to October 15 unless the City implements a higher stage based on conditions.

Non-compliance at any stage can result in fines up to $5000.

A dial for water stages with the arrow pointing at Stage 1

Current Water Conservation Stage

Stage 1: Normal Water Conservation

This stage permits limited lawn watering on scheduled days and times based on address, with general outdoor water use allowed under standard conservation practices. Learn more below.

Stage 1 - Normal Water Conservation

In effect annually from May 1 to October 15. This stage supports routine seasonal water conservation practices.

Lawn watering (sprinklers)

Even-numbered addresses: Tuesdays & Saturdays, 6-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m.
Odd-numbered addresses: Thursdays & Sundays, 6-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m.

New lawns: must be registered with the City (call 311 or 709-754-2489). Daily watering is permitted from 6-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. for 60 days after registration.

Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens: allowed any time using watering can, or hose with automatic shut-off nozzle.

Property maintenance: Vehicle washing, driveway cleaning, windows, and siding are allowed anytime using a bucket or hose/pressure washer with automatic shut-off nozzle

Recreation & Leisure: There are no restrictions on pools, hot tubs or recreational toys that require water use (e.g. slip-and-slides, sprinklers for use by children, etc.)

Stage 2 - Voluntary Enhanced Water Conservation

Stage 2 is activated during hot, dry conditions or high system demand. Residents are encouraged to reduce water usage This stage encourages residents to voluntarily reduce water use. Stage 1 water restrictions still apply in stage 2.

Reduce or Avoid

Lawn watering (sprinklers)
Watering plants, gardens, trees, shrubs
Property and vehicle cleaning
Recreational water use

Conservation Tips

Collect and reuse rainwater
Fix leaks promptly (indoors and outdoors)
Turn off taps when brushing teeth or shaving
Take shorter showers
Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads

To help conserve water, residents should consider delaying new lawn installations until conditions improve and the City moves back to stage 1.

Stage 3 - Mandatory Water Use Restrictions

Stage 3 is activated during extreme conditions or risk to water supply. Strict restrictions are enforced to prevent shortages.

Prohibited Uses:

Lawn watering at any time
Watering plants, gardens, trees and shrubs
Washing vehicles and driveways
Cleaning windows or siding with a hose/pressure washer
Filling or topping up pools, hot tubs, or water features
Recreational water use (e.g., toys, sprinklers)
Splash pads and water play parks

Exceptions:

Commercial car washes
Commercial pressure washing companies
Commercial greenhouses and nurseries (within their premises only)
New lawns: must be registered with the City (call 311 or 709-754-2489). Daily watering is permitted from 6-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. for 60 days after registration. It is recommended that residents who have not completed their landscaping to defer such work.

Continue to follow conservation tips outlined in stage 2.

Stage 4 - Emergency Water Use Restrictions

Stage 4 is activated during critical events affecting water supply. Stage 4 can be implemented at any time to address an emergency. During this stage:

Water use is limited to essential, life safety needs only such as drinking, sanitation and firefighting.
All stage 3 restrictions remain in effect and all exceptions in stage 3 are now prohibited.
Existing new lawn permits are invalid, and watering of new lawns is not permitted.

Conserving Water

Water is a valuable resource, and using it wisely helps protect our water supply. Simple actions at home and outdoors can reduce water use and help ensure a reliable supply for everyone. The City encourages residents to practice water conservation year-round. Start small, stay consistent, and remember - every drop counts.

Conserve Water at home

Small changes in daily habits can save significant amounts of water.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, run dishwashers and washing machines only when full, and take shorter showers.
When washing dishes by hand, use a pan or dish rack instead of running water continuously, and rinse fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than under the tap.
Fix leaks promptly, as dripping faucets, pipes and toilets can waste thousands of litres each year.
Consider upgrading to high-efficiency toilets, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
Insulating hot water pipes can also reduce the time it takes for hot water to reach the tap.

Outdoor Water Use

Outdoor activities such as watering lawns, washing cars and filling pools can use large amounts of water. A garden hose left running can use more than 2,000 litres per hour! To reduce outdoor water use:

Water lawns only during permitted times, use mulch around plants to retain moisture, and ensure sprinklers are watering lawns and gardens—not sidewalks or driveways.
Choose drought-tolerant or native plants, keep grass slightly longer to help retain moisture.
Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them down.
When washing vehicles, use a bucket or a hose with a shut-off nozzle and avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended.

Draining Swimming Pools

Swimming pools and hot tubs contain chemicals that can harm aquatic life and the natural environment if released improperly. Follow these guidelines to safely drain pool or hot tub water:

allow chlorine levels to drop by avoiding chemical additions for one to two weeks or use a de-chlorination product. Use a pool test kit to confirm chemical levels are low.
Drain pool water slowly onto your lawn, where soil and grass help filter it.
Never drain pool water when chemicals are still present, during heavy rain or when the ground is saturated.
Pool water must not be drained into storm sewers, catch basins, streams, brooks, neighbouring properties or undeveloped land.

Stay in Touch

Sign up to receive information from the City of St. John's directly to your inbox. Check out the various categories of general news, and emergency notifications.

Sign Up Today!