British Columbia imposes historic Stage 3 water restrictions

Across British Columbia, authorities have activated Stage 3 water restrictions as of early June 2026. In the North Okanagan communities of Vernon, Coldstream and parts of Spallumcheen, residents must cut water use by 50 %. Outdoor irrigation is to be turned off, and violators face a warning, a $100 fine for a second offence and $400 for a third, with possible shut‑offs. "These restrictions require a 50 per cent reduction in overall water use," said Zee Marcolin of Greater Vernon Water, citing low snowpack, low reservoir inflows and forecast‑ed dry, hot weather.

Metro Vancouver is also moving to Stage 3 bans, beginning next Monday. The new rules prohibit lawn watering, sprinkler use, pool filling and vehicle washing, with limited exceptions. Metro Vancouver chair Mike Hurley attributed the measures to warm, dry conditions, snowpack at less than 15 % of historic averages and daily water use of about 1.2 billion litres, which could rise 50 % as June progresses. The district aims to keep usage below the typical 1.4 billion‑litre threshold for June to protect supplies through July. Both regions will enforce the bans strictly and monitor usage closely.