How Cleantech Is Adapting to the Stage 3 Water Restrictions
Metro Vancouver has implemented Stage 3 water restrictions under its Drinking Water Conservation Plan. The reason is straightforward: the regional snowpack is essentially gone, drought is forecasted for summer, and the system that supplies drinking water across the region is under real strain. These restrictions apply region-wide, and they specifically affect water-fed cleaning methods - which happen to be central to a lot of exterior cleaning work, including ours.
What This Means for Our Services
Not Permitted
Power washing
Water-fed pole (Tucker pole) systems.
These are two of our primary tools for exterior building envelope cleaning, window cleaning, and hardscape maintenance, so this is a meaningful operational shift for us - and it's landed during our busiest season of the year.
Still Permitted
Exterior cleaning necessary for health and safety purposes
Cleaning to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment
Dust control and remediation work
How We’re Adapting
Where permitted, we're using mobile water tanks to continue servicing clients without relying on restricted methods. Beyond that, we're prioritizing health-and-safety and compliance-related cleaning, so the work that matters most keeps moving even while general power washing and Tucker pole services are paused.
In other words, the restriction is really aimed at cosmetic, water-fed cleaning - not at the preventative and safety-driven work that protects a building or property from real damage. If your concern involves algae, moss, biohazards, slip hazards, or prepping a surface ahead of paint or sealant work, there's a good chance it still qualifies. We'd rather you ask than assume your service is on hold.
Looking Ahead
Metro Vancouver is conducting a full review of the Drinking Water Conservation Plan this fall and has invited industry stakeholders to take part. We plan to stay involved in that process and continue advocating for practical solutions that balance water conservation with the essential maintenance work properties genuinely need.
What You Should Do
If you have an upcoming service with us, reach out and we'll walk through your specific situation together. In many cases, there's still a path forward -and where there isn't yet, we'll be straightforward with you about timing.
We take water conservation seriously, and we also take care of your property seriously. Our goal is to keep doing both well.
Contact us today to learn more about summer cleaning
