Outdoor Water Restrictions

Outdoor Water Restrictions are in effect from May 1 to October 1 each year to encourage residents to conserve water in day-to-day activities.

The goal of outdoor water restrictions is to minimize potable water use during warmer and drier times of the year. The restrictions apply to all water users in The City, including residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and City operations.

Stage 1: Help conserve water
Guidelines are voluntary

Stage 1 is activated automatically from May 1 to October 1 each year and indicates that there are no serious water shortage or river flow issues.

In Stage 1, compliance with guidelines is completely voluntary and rules are not enforced.

Activity Stage 1 Guidelines (voluntary)
Watering Sprinklers and irrigation:
  • Allowed between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. for 1 hour maximum.
  • Even-numbered addresses can water on even days of the month during non-restricted hours; odd-numbered addresses may water on odd days of the month during non-restricted hours.

*Newly-planted lawn can be watered on all days at any time for 3 hours for 3 weeks after planting. Use of pesticides or fertilizers should be avoided.

Hoses with spray nozzle (only for gardens, trees and shrubs):

  • No restrictions

Hand watering:

  • No restrictions
Artificial turf and outdoor tracks washing
  • Permitted if required for dust control and safety
Swimming pools and hot tubs
  • No restriction
Vehicle washing
  • Only at car wash to ensure wastewater is treated and recycled
Ponds, fountains, water parks and other water features
  • Filling or refilling is permitted between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.
  • Even-numbered addresses may fill and refill on Mondays and Thursdays during non-restricted hours; odd-numbered addresses may fill and refill on Tuesdays and Fridays during non-restricted hours.

Cleaning outdoor surfaces, including pressure washing

(driveways, decks, patios, etc.)
  • No restrictions, but washing by a commercial cleaning service or hand washing is recommended
Stage 2: Reduce water use
Guidelines are enforced

Stage 2 is activated when the Red Deer River flow rate and the Glennifer reservoir level drop below normal levels, if other conditions require The City to conserve water (e.g., drought), or as directed by the Government of Alberta. The City will continue to monitor these trends throughout every event and coordinate our efforts with the Government of Alberta to manage the river and reservoirs levels.   

In Stage 2, The City will investigate non-compliance of the guidelines and issue a letter concerning a customer's breach of the guidelines. The customer is given 14 days to resolve the action, after which point a fine will be issued if guidelines are not met. First offence - $250, second offence - $1,000, third offence is $2,500. Subsequent offences are $2,500 and disconnection of water services.  

Activity Stage 2 Guidelines
Watering Sprinklers and irrigation: 
  • Allowed between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. for 1 hour maximum. 
  • Even-numbered addresses may water on even days of the month during non-restricted hours; odd-numbered addresses may water on odd days of the month during non-restricted hours. 

*Newly-planted lawn can be watered on all days at any time for 3 hours for 3 weeks after planting.  Use of pesticides or fertilizers should be avoided. 

Hoses with spray nozzle (only for gardens, trees and shrubs): 

  • No restrictions 
Hand watering: 
  • No restrictions 
Artificial turf and outdoor tracks washing
  • Permitted if required for dust control and safety
Swimming pools and hot tubs
  • No restrictions
Vehicle washing
  • Only at car wash to ensure wastewater is treated and recycled 
Ponds, fountains, water parks and other water features
  • Filling or refilling is permitted between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. 
  • Even-numbered addresses may fill and refill on Mondays and Thursdays during non-restricted hours; odd-numbered addresses may fill and refill on Tuesdays and Fridays during non-restricted hours. 
Cleaning outdoor surfaces, including pressure washing
  • Washing for the purpose of aesthetic cleaning is not permitted 
  • Only washing by a commercial cleaning service, or hand-washing to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment, or if ordered by a regulatory authority
Stage 3: Reduce non-essential water use
Guidelines are enforced

Stage 3 is activated when the Red Deer River flow rate and the Glennifer reservoir level are dropping significantly below normal levels, if other conditions require The City to conserve water (e.g., drought), or as directed by the Government of Alberta.  The City will continue to monitor the trends throughout every event and coordinate our efforts with the Government of Alberta to manage the river and reservoirs levels.

In Stage 3, The City will investigate non-compliance of the guidelines and issue an automatic $250 fine for the first offence. Second offence is $1,000 and the third offence is $2,500. Subsequent offences are $2,500 and disconnection of water services.

Activity Stage 3 Guidelines
Watering Sprinklers and irrigation: 
  • Allowed between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. for 30 minutes maximum.
  • Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays and Thursdays during non-restricted hours; odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Fridays during non-restricted hours. 

Hoses with spray nozzle (only for gardens, trees and shrubs): 

  • Not permitted

Hand watering: 

  • No restrictions 
Artificial turf and outdoor tracks washing
  • Permitted if required for dust control and safety
Vehicle washing
  • Only at car wash to ensure wastewater is treated and recycled 
Ice rinks
  • No draining, flooding or refilling of new rinks
  • Flooding of existing rinks is permitted
Swimming pools and hot tubs
  • No draining or refilling permitted
  • Topping off is permitted
Ponds, fountains, water parks and other water features
  • No filling or refilling permitted
  • Topping off is permitted
Cleaning outdoor surfaces, including pressure washing
  • Washing for the purpose of aesthetic cleaning is not permitted 
  • Only washing by a commercial cleaning service, or hand-washing to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment, or if ordered by a regulatory authority 
Stage 4: Emergency water shortage: stop non-essential water use
Guidelines are enforced

Stage 4 is activated as directed by the Government of Alberta, or in the event of an emergency including drought, or equipment failure at the Water Treatment Plant. 

In Stage 4, The City will investigate non-compliance of the guidelines and issue a an automatic $250 fine for the first offence. Second offence is $1,000 and disconnection of water service.   

Activity Stage 4 Guidelines
Watering Sprinklers and irrigation: 
  • Not permitted 

Hoses with spray nozzle (only for gardens, trees and shrubs): 

  • Not permitted 

Hand watering: 

  • No restrictions 
Vehicle washing
  • No washing permitted
  • All commercial car washes are shut down
Ice rinks
  • No draining; flooding and refilling is permitted
Swimming pools and hot tubs
  • No draining; refilling or topping off permitted
Ponds, fountains, water parks and other water features
  • No filling, refilling or topping off permitted
Cleaning outdoor surfaces, including pressure washing
  • Washing not permitted unless ordered by a regulatory authority

There are some exceptions to these guidelines that allow certain customers to continue outdoor water use for health and safety reasons or for care business needs. This includes: 

  • Watering plants, shrubs and trees for commercial sales 
  • Washing outdoor surfaces for childcare facilities, restaurants, kennel and animal care facilities 
  • Washing of vehicles subject to health and safety regulations 
  • Businesses that have a license to operate exterior window washing services 
  • Water use for construction purposes, including grading, compacting and dust control  

Red Deer's drinking water comes from the Red Deer River and during periods of low rainfall, drought or emergency situations, we become vulnerable to potential water shortages. With this in mind, it is important that we conserve water and be proactive to help prevent serious water shortages in the future. 

To report a violation of the above guidelines, please contact Utility  Services at 403-342-8750. 

The outdoor water restrictions support Section 42 of the Utility Bylaw and is enforced by The City's Environmental Services department. 

View the full Water Conservation Guidelines (pdf) document, including detailed information about fines and fees.