Easy Ways to Conserve Water During Summer Water Restrictions

Summertime and water restrictions go hand and hand in British Columbia. Every May we expect to hear that we can only water our lawns and gardens on specific days of the week as that’s how our local water restrictions usually start. 2026 has started off on a much stricter note, however, skipping our Stage 1 water restrictions all together and jumping straight to Stage 2. With stricter restrictions happening sooner than usual, it’s a perfect time to look at easy ways to conserve water in our homes.

Annual Summer Water Restrictions

We expect water restrictions to come into play every year from May through October, but we usually take gradual steps towards this.

This year we started at Stage 2 water restrictions, which include a complete ban on watering lawns. As of June 8, 2026, we were already in Stage 3 restrictions. Under Stage 3, lawn watering remains prohibited, and additional restrictions were introduced, including bans on sprinklers and soaker hoses, home vehicle washing, filling or topping up most pools and decorative water features, and washing driveways, patios, and other hard surfaces. Trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetable gardens can still be watered, but only using approved methods such as hand watering.

On the west coast of British Columbia it can be hard to comprehend why water restrictions need to be put in place. We are literally surrounded by water—oceans at our feet, rivers running beside cities, lakes to run away to on weekends. There is so much water. But that does not mean we have an unlimited supply of potable drinking water. And, to top that off, our drinking water is also the water that runs through our hoses, dishwasher, toilets, and any other needs we have.

Our water is source is directly impacted by the snow pack on our mountains, so the water available through the summer season is easy to predict. Low snow pack means low water supply.

Easy Ways to Conserve Water in our Homes

As individuals we can take steps to reduce our water use to help preserve this important resource. There are many ways to conserve water, including a number of easy steps we can each take in our own homes.

Here are some easy ways to conserve water for you to consider doing this summer.

Easy Ways to Conserve Water in the Kitchen

• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap until it gets cold.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than under continuously running water and then use that water to water grass or plants.
• Reuse leftover cooking water (once cooled and if suitable) to water plants.
• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator instead of under running water.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only when they are fully loaded.
• Scrape food scraps into the compost or garbage before washing dishes to reduce rinsing time.
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting water run while scrubbing stuck-on food.
• Keep reusable water bottles in the fridge so you do not need to run the tap until the water becomes cold.
• Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need for your tea, coffee, or cooking.
• Reuse leftover ice cubes by placing them in outdoor planters instead of dumping them down the drain.
• Keep a jug beside the sink to capture water that would otherwise go down the drain while waiting for it to heat up.
• Avoid pre-rinsing dishes if your dishwasher manufacturer states it is unnecessary.
• Use a basin in the sink when washing dishes by hand rather than letting water run continuously.

Easy Ways to Conserve Water in the Bathroom

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face, turning it on only when necessary.
• Take shorter showers and aim to reduce shower time by a few minutes. Try setting a timer or playing a specific song to keep track of the time.
• Install low-flow showerheads and water-efficient faucet aerators.
• Collect cold water while waiting for the shower or tap to warm up and use it for plants.
• Turn off the shower while lathering shampoo, conditioner, or soap, then turn it back on to rinse.
• Brush your teeth using a cup of water instead of leaving the tap running.
• Fill the bathroom sink with a small amount of water when shaving to rinse your razor rather than running the tap continuously.
• Check toilets regularly by adding a few drops of food colouring to the tank; if colour appears in the bowl without flushing, there may be a leak.
• Flush the toilet only when necessary and avoid using it as a wastebasket for tissues or other items.
• Install a dual-flush toilet or use the lower-volume flush option when available.
• Turn off the tap while scrubbing hands and only turn it back on to rinse.

Easy Ways to Conserve Water in the Yard and Garden

• Water outdoor plants early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• Use mulch in garden beds to help soil retain moisture.
• Choose drought-tolerant or native plants that require less watering.
• Sweep driveways, patios, and sidewalks instead of using a hose.
• Wash vehicles with a bucket and sponge rather than letting a hose run continuously.
• Install a rain barrel to collect rainwater for outdoor use where permitted.
• Adjust lawn sprinklers so they water plants and grass, not pavement.
• Check irrigation systems regularly for leaks or broken sprinkler heads.
• Cover swimming pools when not in use to reduce evaporation.
• Keep an eye on outdoor hoses and spigots to ensure they are turned off completely after use.
• Wash pets outdoors on grass when weather permits so the water benefits landscaping.
• Use a broom to clean garages, patios, and balconies instead of rinsing them with water.
• Cover outdoor containers and water features to reduce evaporation during hot weather.

Easy Ways to Conserve Water around the House

• Use the eco or water-saving settings on appliances when available.
• Fix dripping faucets and leaking toilets as soon as possible.
• Insulate hot water pipes so hot water reaches taps faster.
• Upgrade older toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers to water-efficient models when it’s time for replacement.
• Monitor your water bill for unexpected increases that could indicate hidden leaks.
• Reuse water from dehumidifiers to water non-edible plants.
• Use a spray bottle with water for cleaning surfaces instead of repeatedly wetting cloths under a running tap.
• Spot-clean small spills on floors rather than mopping entire rooms unnecessarily.
• Wear clothing more than once when appropriate to reduce laundry loads.
• Treat stains immediately so items can be cleaned without rewashing entire loads.
• Use the shortest wash cycle that is appropriate for your laundry needs.
• Match the water level setting on your washing machine to the size of the load.
• Water indoor plants only when needed rather than on a fixed schedule.
• Group houseplants with similar water needs together to avoid overwatering.
• Store frequently watered houseplants together on trays so excess water can be captured and reused.
• Fill a basin with water when hand-washing delicate clothing instead of washing items one at a time under running water.
• Reuse water from rinsing paintbrushes used with non-toxic, water-based paints for cleaning outdoor tools where appropriate.
• Report leaks promptly if you live in a rental property or apartment building.
• Teach all household members simple water-saving habits and make conservation a family effort.

Small steps make a big difference

There are so many small steps we can each take to reduce our water use. At times where the water supply is low, it is a chance for each of us to do our part and conserve water wherever possible. Hopefully these easy ways to conserve water inspire you to take some steps towards reducing water use!

Looking for more water-related reads? Check out this post on World Water Day.

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