Odd or even? Your address determines your outdoor watering schedule

Your local Outdoor Water-Use bylaw protects our water supply. It details when you can use water outdoors for in-ground irrigation systems, sprinklers, filling or topping up pools, washing decks, driveways, vehicles, windows and more.

The bylaw is in effect from May 15 to September 30 – dates may vary depending on where you live. One thing that doesn’t vary is across York Region, odd house numbers can only water outdoors on odd days of the month, even house numbers only on even days. 

Follow your local bylaw to make sure your community has enough water supply for drinking and emergency services.

Here are six outdoor water-saving tips to follow this summer:   

• Add native plants to your garden – they use less water because they thrive in our local soil and climate
• Check hoses, outdoor taps and sprinklers at least once a month for leaks, damage or misaligned heads
• Install a rain barrel as a water source for flowers and vegetables 
• Sweep your driveway or deck instead of using a hose  
• Turn off sprinklers and in-ground irrigation systems when it’s raining  
• Use a layer of mulch to your garden to lock in moisture

For more water-saving tips, visit york.ca/SaveWater