Water Conservation By-Law

The Water Conservation By‑law sets rules for how City water can be used outdoors, especially during the summer months and during drought conditions.

Its purpose is to prevent water waste, protect the City’s drinking water supply, and ensure enough water is available for essential needs during dry periods.

If you use City water, this by‑law applies to you

These rules apply to any property owner or occupant who uses water from the City of Brantford’s water system.

City water must be used carefully and efficiently.

You are not allowed to waste water outdoors. This includes:

• watering during rainfall
• allowing water to run off or pool excessively
• spraying water onto paved surfaces
• washing vehicles without a shut‑off nozzle
• excessive washing of driveways or hard surfaces

Summer lawn and garden watering

During June, July and August, outdoor watering is limited.

You may water only between 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Residents may instead choose to water between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. , but must register with the City first.

Odd and even address rule

Your watering days depend on your municipal address:

• properties with odd‑numbered addresses may water on odd‑numbered calendar days
• properties with even‑numbered addresses may water on even‑numbered calendar days

Watering outside your assigned days or outside permitted hours is not allowed.

Common exemptions

The following are exempt from regular watering restrictions:

• watering new lawns or gardens that are less than thirty days old
• watering lawns during and for twenty‑four hours after fertilizer or pesticide treatment
• using hand‑held watering containers
• watering planter pots, patio planters and hanging baskets
•  irrigation at nurseries, sod farms and garden centres

These exemptions do not apply during a watering ban.

Watering bans

A watering ban may be declared if:

• the Grand River Conservation Authority declares a Level Three drought
• City water storage drops below forty percent and cannot be replenished

During a watering ban, you may not:

• water any lawn, whether new or established
• water gardens, trees, shrubs or outdoor plants
• fill or use pools, ponds or decorative fountains
• use water for recreational purposes
• wash vehicles on residential properties
• wash driveways, sidewalks or patios (unless needed to prevent damage or unsafe conditions)

Overnight watering option

Residents may choose an overnight watering option by registering with the City. This option allows watering only between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. instead of the standard daytime watering hours.

If you choose overnight watering:

• you must continue to follow the odd and even day watering rule based on your address;
• the overnight schedule applies to your entire property; and
• daytime watering is no longer permitted.

Once registered, you do not need to register again in future years unless you wish to remove your address from the overnight watering list.

To register for overnight watering, or to remove your address from the registry, please call 519-759-4150.