Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions in Calgary – What Could This Mean for Your Trees?

In early July 2024, Calgary eased its water restrictions from Stage 4 to Stage 3 also to help make water more accessible to residents during a lengthy heat wave. However, with drought being a near-constant problem for the province, this isn’t expected to help much. Here’s what to know about drought in Calgary and what you can do to keep your trees healthy despite these limitations.

Why Does Calgary Have Water Restrictions?

In addition to seasonal drought experienced by all Canadian provinces, Calgary’s water main sustained massive damage in June, cutting the city’s available water reserves by 60% or more. Combined, these two issues require rigorous management by government officials to ensure that basic needs are met.

Water Restriction Stages

Calgary enacts water restrictions in a series of stages based on the city’s current water availability and resident needs. When the city has more water or higher resident requirements, restrictions are usually eased or lifted. When water supplies are scarce, restrictions are typically advanced.

Voluntary Water Conservation

Alberta’s first step is to promote voluntary water conservation among its citizens. This is divided into two categories:

• Green: It’s a good idea to save water when and where you can, but there aren’t any shortage issues.
• Yellow: The situation is not improving, and more people need to conserve water to avoid compulsory restrictions

Mandatory Water Restrictions

Mandatory restrictions are implemented if water supplies don’t return to adequate levels. These are not optional and could result in a $1,500 fine if not followed.

Stage 1 – Monitoring and Observation

Stage 1 water restrictions in Calgary are designed to eliminate excess water usage without infringing too much upon the way that residents and businesses in the city conduct themselves. You’ll have to water your lawn at certain times and avoid things like washing your car in the driveway or power washing the side of your house, but otherwise, you shouldn’t notice too much of a difference.

Allowed

• Watering gardens with an automatic shut-off hose
• Using water to fill hot tubs and swimming pools
• Watering livestock

Limited

• Watering lawns or gardens with a sprinkler system: Limited to 2 hours maximum between the hours of 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., or 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the day of the week designated by your postal code
• Watering new lawns: Water restrictions do not apply for the first 21 days of laying sod or 45 days after planting seed

Not Allowed

• Using water for decorative features
• Washing building exteriors, sidewalks, and other outdoor surfaces
• Washing vehicles outdoors

Stage 2 – Active Management

Stage 2 water restrictions are essentially the same as Stage 1, with the exception of a reduction in the number of allowable hours that residents and businesses can water their lawns with sprinklers. Instead of 2 hours one day per week, residents in Stage 2 will have 1 hour to water their lawns within the designated time frames.

Stage 3 – Apportionment Administration

With Stage 3 water restrictions, the Canadian government may change how it apportions water based on need. Typically, Alberta shares its water with Manitoba and Saskatchewan and vice versa, but this can be altered in Stage 3 so Alberta can retain more of its own water reserves.

Allowed

• Using water for construction
• Watering of commercial plants for sale
• Watering plants with a hand container
• Street cleaning

Limited

• Window washing: Only allowed to be performed by those licensed to provide window washing services

Not Allowed

• Watering lawns with irrigation
• Using water for outdoor swimming pools
• Outdoor snow and ice-making

Stage 4 – Multiple Water Management Areas Affected

Stage 4 water restrictions are the most stringent and challenging to adhere to. Stage 3 restrictions remain in place while new restrictions are added:

Not Allowed

• Watering gardens or plants using any method
• Watering new lawns
• Using water for construction

Stage 5 – Declaration of Emergency Under the Water Act

If drought persists, Stage 5 allows government officials to declare an emergency under the Water Act. While the province has never had to do this, officials have recently outlined what criteria would be used to declare a water emergency:

• If there is adequate water to maintain human health, livestock welfare, and infrastructure systems
• If local cities and townships are experiencing increasing issues as a result of the drought
• If Alberta's water management system is beyond its capacity to prepare and execute usage ordinances

What Do Water Restrictions Mean For Your Trees?

Your trees and shrubs need water to survive, and if Alberta is experiencing drought, you can be sure your trees are thirsty, too. But depending on what stage you are in, you may not be able to water your trees. For example:

• Stage 1 – You can water your trees using a garden hose with an auto shut-off nozzle or with your sprinkler system within the specified time frame for your neighbourhood.
• Stage 2 – You can still water your trees with your hose, but you will have less time to do so with your sprinkler system.
• Stage 3 – You can water your trees with a container, but this is less likely to be as effective.
• Stage 4 – You can’t water your trees at all until this stage is lifted.

How to Maintain Your Tree Health During Water Restrictions

Even though water restrictions can be tough on your trees, there are a few things you can do to help support them (during Stages 1–3) until more water becomes available:

• Mulch around your trees: Putting a couple of inches of organic mulch around the base of a tree’s trunk can help retain moisture so less evaporation occurs, and each watering goes further.
• Invest in a rain barrel: If you don’t already have one, install one on your property to collect rainwater when it comes around. This gives you extra to use when restrictions are in place since rainwater doesn’t count toward the city’s water usage.
• Water your trees before your grass: Trees provide many more benefits than grass, including shade, oxygen, and cooling, so it’s better to ensure they have enough moisture first.
• Focus on young and newly planted trees: These trees are most vulnerable and need consistent watering to establish roots.
• Identify high-value trees: Prioritise trees that provide significant shade or aesthetic value.
• Deep watering: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth. This helps trees withstand drought conditions.
• Water at optimal times: Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• Reuse greywater: Water from showers, sinks, and washing machines (excluding water with harsh chemicals) can be used for irrigation.
• Weed control: Keep the area around trees free of weeds that can compete for moisture.
• Prune wisely: If it’s the right season, remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to reduce the tree’s water needs and improve overall health.

When to Contact a Licensed Calgary Tree Care Company

Do you need help with your trees?

Green Drop’s ISA-certified arborists are on call to handle all your tree care services, so you can relax knowing that even with city water restrictions, you can still maintain the health of your trees and keep them looking beautiful. Whether Alberta is in Stage 1 or Stage 4, we have the tools and techniques you need for flourishing, thriving trees.

Contact our qualified tree specialists to get answers to your important questions about water usage, restrictions, tree care, and more.