Stage 3 Outdoor water restrictions in effect
While the Bearspaw south feeder main has been repaired, we are gradually lifting restrictions to make sure water supply can meet demand.
Stage 3 outdoor water restrictions are in place for all residences and businesses along with City of Calgary operations. Violations may lead to fines starting at $1,500.
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 any time during Stage 3 Outdoor Water Restrictions
Do Use a watering can
Use a watering can or container to water plants, gardens, shrubs and trees. You can use your hose to fill your container.
Tip: To maximize your water use and use it wisely, water in the early morning or evening, water each plant slowly and at its base, and check the soil moisture before and after to determine if water is needed.
Do Reuse water
Capture rainwater or greywater inside your home to water plants and gardens.
Do Water new grass
- 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.
Any method of watering can be used for this purpose. Water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
Do Use water for construction purposes
Water can be used for various construction-related activities including dust suppression, compaction, concrete mixing and 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 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 3 Outdoor Water Restrictions
Don't Use sprinklers
This includes soaker hoses and in-ground sprinkling systems (including testing). The only exception is for watering new sod or lawn seed.
Don't Water with a hose
The only exception is for watering new sod or lawn seed, filling watering cans/containers or filling outdoor pools.
Don't Fill fountains
No filling of fountains or decorative water features.
Don't Wash outdoor surfaces
This includes:
- windows
- exterior building surfaces
- sidewalks, driveways, or walkways
Complaints related to watering restrictions
You can submit Water Restrictions and Misuse (Bylaw) requests
- Outdoor watering during the water restriction
- Overwatering
- Water running onto the sreet/sidewalk
- Broken equipment leaking water
Watch the livestream
Tune in to calgary.ca/live every day at 2 p.m. for the latest updates.
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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 allowed in Stage 3:
- 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 using a hand-held container or with non-potable water from The City’s commercial river water pick up station.
- 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).
- Washing outdoor surfaces for daycares and dayhomes, restaurants, kennels and animal care facilities.
- Washing of vehicles indoors to follow health and safety regulations.
- Washing vehicles outdoors is not permitted.
- Exterior window washing services and car washes by a business that have a licence to provide such services.
- Maintenance and associated activities to conduct irrigation system maintenance in both residential and commercial settings.
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 feedermain 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, soaker hoses and in-ground sprinkling systems (including testing) |
No |
No |
Yes - 1 hour/week
Watering is allowed between:
|
Yes - 2 hours/week
Watering is allowed between:
|
|
Hose watering
|
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 |
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 |
No |
|
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 |
|
Water use for construction purposes (e.g. dust suppression, compaction, 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 |