Surrey, BC water use stays near regional average under Stage 2 restrictions

Surrey city officials reported that residential water consumption remains consistent with the Metro Vancouver average at 235 litres per capita per day, well below the regional target of 320 litres by 2035. The city continues to enforce Stage 2 water restrictions while Metro Vancouver has moved to stricter Stage 3 rules as of June 8. The Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) has asked Surrey to adopt Stage 3 and will review the request at its July 24 meeting.

The report links the early implementation of restrictions to water‑main construction at the First Narrows (Stanley Park) and a lower‑than‑normal snowpack. Councillor Pardeep Kooner noted that reservoir levels are typical and that Metro can purchase additional water from BC Hydro, though system constraints limit delivery. Mayor Brenda Locke said the report clarifies public misinformation and highlighted a corrected city population figure of about 730,000, up from the previously cited 645,506. The updated data confirms Surrey’s per‑capita use is 235 L, not the previously reported 266 L.