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Canadians’ views on watering lawns are fairly evenly divided, with 45% saying lawn watering is reasonable under certain conditions and 42% supporting restrictions or a summer ban. Only 8% believe watering lawns is reasonable regardless of the circumstances, highlighting a broader debate over water conservation and responsible summer water use
Key Takeaways
- 45% of Canadians believe watering lawns is reasonable under certain conditions, such as during heat waves or when water use is not restricted.
- 42% support limiting or banning lawn watering during the summer, reflecting concerns about water conservation.
- Views vary by demographics, with Quebec residents, Boomers, and women more likely to prioritize restrictions and water conservation.
Our recent national survey asked Canadians about their views on watering lawns, revealing a fairly even divide in opinion. Over four in ten residents believe watering lawns is reasonable in some circumstances, while a similar number believe it should be limited or banned. Only a small minority feel that watering lawns is reasonable regardless of the circumstances.
About four in ten Canadians (45%) believe that watering lawns is reasonable under some conditions, such as when there is a heat wave (15%) or when water use is not restricted (30%). Just one in ten (8%) believe that watering lawns is a reasonable use of water whenever people or governments choose to do it. Meanwhile, four in ten (42%) say that lawn watering should be restricted in the summer (14%) or at least limited, in the interest of conserving water (28%).
Watering Lawns During Summer
Quebec residents are more likely than those in other provinces to believe that lawn watering should not be allowed during the summer. Across generations, Boomers are more likely than Millennials and Gen Z residents to prioritize water conservation. Women are also more likely than men to believe conserving water is more important than watering lawns.
Results are from an online survey conducted in partnership between Narrative Research and the Logit Group. The survey was conducted between July 17 and 27, 2026 with 1,237 Canadians, 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s online Canadian Omnibus. Data were weighted based on the 2021 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect actual population distribution.
The question asked was:
Which statement best reflects your view on watering lawns during the summer?
- Watering lawns is a reasonable use of water whenever people or governments choose to do it
- Watering lawns is reasonable, but only during dry periods or heat waves
- Watering lawns is reasonable only when water use is not restricted
- Watering lawns should be limited because conserving water is more important
- Watering lawns should not be allowed during the summer
- Not sure
Download a PDF version with data tables
FAQs
Canadians are fairly divided, with 45% saying lawn watering is reasonable under certain conditions and 42% supporting restrictions or a summer ban.
Among those who support conditional lawn watering, 30% say it is reasonable when water use is not restricted, while 15% believe it is reasonable during dry periods or heat waves.
Quebec residents are more likely to believe lawn watering should not be allowed during the summer, while Boomers and women are more likely to prioritize water conservation.
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Chapman, COO & & Partner, Narrative Research – 902.493.3834, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca or Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com.
Narrative Research is a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Narrative Research provides clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.
The Logit Group is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies.
