Metro Vancouver returns to Stage 2 water restrictions

Metro Vancouver will move back to Stage 2 water restrictions on July 16 after the First Narrows Crossing returned to service, allowing drinking water to flow from the North Shore to Vancouver again. The region had been under Stage 3 restrictions while crews worked on the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel Project. Metro Vancouver said the higher restrictions helped keep water use within its regional target during the upgrade. Officials said conservation remains important because hot, dry weather is expected and reservoir levels still need to last through the fall. Under Stage 2, lawn watering stays banned, while trees, shrubs, edible and nonedible plants can still be watered under specific rules. Car washing at home is allowed with a shutoff hose, and pools, hot tubs and spray parks are not affected.