Are you watering your lawn too much?

With the arrival of warmer weather, the City of Port Coquitlam is reminding residents that most lawns only need one hour of sprinkling each week.

Sprinkling restrictions will be in effect until Sept. 30 in Port Coquitlam and across the Metro Vancouver region, with the goal of reducing peak water use during the summer months, according to a press release.

Water use almost doubles during the summer, when seasonal rainfall is at its lowest. Despite the wet spring, it's important to reduce outdoor water use throughout the summer to ensure sufficient supply to meet peak and emergency demands. As well, water conservation helps minimize costs for taxpayers because it defers the need to build new pipes and reservoirs.

As part of the Water Shortage Response Plan, regional regulations were changed last year to prohibit evening sprinkling. The following regulations are in effect until Sept. 30:

LAWN SPRINKLING - RESIDENTIAL

. Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns from 4 to 9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

. Odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns from 4 to 9 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Lawn Sprinkling - Commercial

. Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns from 1 to 6 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

. Odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns from 1 to 6 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

All non-residential properties may sprinkle from 4 to 9 a.m. on Fridays.

Exceptions to the sprinkling regulations include flower and vegetable gardens, decorative planters, shrubs and trees, and locations such as parks, nurseries, farms and golf courses. New lawns require a permit from the city to be exempt from the restrictions.

More information about the regulations is available at www.portcoquitlam.ca/sprinkling or by calling the engineering and operations department at 604-927-5420.

The city is also providing these tips on how to save water:

. Let your lawn go dormant during the summer.

. Most lawns only need 2.5 cm of water each week. Put an empty tuna can on the lawn when you sprinkle and turn off the tap when the can is full.

. To reduce evaporation, keep your glass clippings on the lawn and mulch in your garden.