Water on your day, not every day: easy for you, essential for everyone 

July 24, 2026
the front lawn and driveway of a house in the suburbs

Outdoor watering restrictions protect our drinking water supply and ensure reliable pressure for emergency and essential services, like firefighting.

Check your city or town’s website for details, but the general rule is simple:  

Odd house addresses water on odd days, even addresses on even days.   
 
This spreads out demand and keeps the system running smoothly when we all stick to it.  

Why it matters  

Outdoor water use nearly doubles every summer, putting a lot of pressure on our water system.  

Watering only on your day helps make sure your community has enough water for businesses and essential services like hospitals and long-term care facilities, daily household use and fire protection and emergency services.  

What and who does the Outdoor Water-Use Bylaw apply to?  

Outdoor watering restrictions apply to everyone.  

Outdoor watering means using water outside your home. For example:  

  • Hoses, in‑ground irrigation systems and sprinklers  
  • Filling hot tubs and pools  
  • Washing decks, driveways, walkways, windows, vehicles and more  

York Region works closely with businesses to reduce water use through audits, incentives and efficiency programs. Our experts help make sure your community has enough water every day and for emergency services, but we can’t do it alone!  

How to reduce water use on your lawn and in your garden  

Landscapes that use less water support local ecosystem and wildlife, save you money and help protect our drinking and emergency water supply.  

Here are some easy ways you can use less water outdoors:  

  • Choose native plants which use less water because they thrive in our local climate  
  • Collect rainwater as a free water source for plants  
  • Inspect hoses, outdoor taps, piping and sprinklers: look for drips, cracks, loose fittings and sprinkler heads spraying in the wrong direction  
  • Install water-efficient sprinkler heads that spray low to the ground    
  • Plant gardens in low-lying areas of your yard to absorb rainwater runoff  
  • Put down a layer of mulch to lock in moisture and keep weeds out  
  • Turn off sprinklers when it’s raining  
  • Use permeable pavers to reduce runoff and flooding  

Thanks for doing your part to keep water flowing in York Region! 

Learn more at york.ca/OutdoorWaterUse