Highlands watering restrictions
Are there lawn sprinkling or watering restrictions in Highlands?
Short answer
In Highlands, the CRD Water Conservation Bylaw applies to customers of the CRD Regional Water Supply System. Stage 1 runs every year from May 1 to September 30. Most Highlands residents use private wells, which the bylaw does not cover. Check the CRD page for the current stage.
Key facts
| When restrictions apply | CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 applies to customers of the CRD Regional Water Supply System (Sooke Lake Reservoir water); Highlands is a participating municipality. Stage 1 is in effect every year from May 1 to September 30. The CRD Commission can change the dates or bring in stricter stages at any time. Most Highlands residents use private wells.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099), s. 2 and s. 4(1); Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Watering schedule; Groundwater and Well Information, Groundwater & Well Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe restrictions and regulations in this bylaw are applicable in each Municipality. The Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions prescribed in Schedule “A” are in effect each year from May 1 to September 30 inclusive District of Highlands applies to any customers of the Regional Water Supply System receiving drinking water from the Sooke Lake Reservoir most of the 2,100 residents rely on private wells for their potable water |
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| Sprinkling schedule | Stage 1 lawn watering: even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursdays and Sundays. Any method between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; timed or automatic irrigation systems may also water from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(a); Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Lawn Watering · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe property has an even-numbered address, the lawn watering is on Wednesdays or Saturdays Thursdays or Sundays between the hours of 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by any method permitted Even Number | Wednesdays & Saturdays |
| Allowed at any time | Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be watered any day, at any time, by hand-held container, a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro/drip irrigation. A sprinkler may be used on them any day during the lawn-watering hours (4 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.).Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(b)(i); Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District, Established trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingwater trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables on any day with a Sprinkler other than during the prescribed hours for Stage 1 lawn watering or on any hand held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or by Micro-irrigation Hand Watering & Micro/Drip Irrigation | Any day, any time |
| New lawns | New sod may be watered outside the lawn-watering hours on the day of installation and the first 21 days after. A newly seeded lawn may be watered until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less.Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099), Schedule A, s. 1(1)(b)(iii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingoutside the prescribed Stage 1 lawn Watering hours, water new sod or during the first 21 days after installation, or for newly seeded lawns, water until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less; |
| Fine | Stage 1, lawn watering outside the allowed days or times: $200. Stage 2: $250. Stage 3, watering a lawn or boulevard: $400. Wasting water: $200 (Stage 1), $300 (Stage 2), $400 (Stage 3). Hindering an inspection: $500.CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857, Schedule 26, items 7, 8, 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingStage 1 - water lawn contrary to even-numbered Sch. A 1.(1)(a)(i) $200.00 Sch. A 2.(1)(a)(i) $250.00 Hinder/Prevent Inspection 3 $500.00 Wasting water during Stage 3 Stage 3 – water lawn or boulevard |
| Bylaw | Capital Regional District Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw No. 4099).Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099), title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBYLAW NO. 4099 CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT WATER CONSERVATION BYLAW NO. 1, 2016 |
How it works
The CRD Water Conservation Bylaw No. 4099 applies to customers of the CRD Regional Water Supply System (Sooke Lake Reservoir water). Highlands is a participating municipality, but most residents use private wells, which the bylaw does not govern. Stage 1 is in effect every year from May 1 to September 30.
Steps
- In Stage 1, water lawns on these days: even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Use any method between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Timed or automatic irrigation systems may also water from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m.
- Check the CRD watering schedule page for the current stage.
Good to know
- Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may be watered any day, at any time, by hand-held container, a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro or drip irrigation. A sprinkler may be used on them any day during the lawn-watering hours.
- New sod may be watered outside the lawn-watering hours on the day of installation and the first 21 days after. A newly seeded lawn may be watered until growth is established or for 49 days after installation, whichever is less.
- Nurseries, farms, turf farms and tree farms are exempt from all stage restrictions.
- Tickets: Stage 1 outside allowed days or times $200; Stage 2 $250; Stage 3 watering a lawn or boulevard $400. Wasting water: $200 (Stage 1), $300 (Stage 2), $400 (Stage 3). Hindering an inspection: $500.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Langford · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood · Esquimalt · Saanich
Watering restrictions in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Water Conservation Bylaw No. 1, 2016 (Bylaw 4099) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Watering Schedule, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-08)
- Groundwater and Well Information, District of Highlands (read 2026-11-08)
- CRD Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 1857 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.