The City of West Kelowna has brought in Stage 2 water regulations, effective immediately and until further notice.
This applies to all utility customers to reduce demand during drought and protect available supplies.
Under Stage 2 regulations outdoor irrigation of lawns and landscapes is only permitted as follows:
- Even-numbered addresses may water on Saturdays and Tuesdays;
- Odd-numbered addresses may water on Sundays and Wednesdays.
A city media release notes that lower than normal snowpacks, ongoing drought, and high customer demand keep reservoirs from filling as they normally would this time of year.
All customers are asked to immediately reduce outdoor water use by 30 per cent to conserve resources.
If drought and high use persist, the city may move to Stage 3 restrictions which include watering once a week and prohibiting filling pools, hot tubs, fountains, ponds or washing vehicles, sidewalks, and driveways.
Stage 4 restrictions would prohibit all outdoor watering.
According to the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s Drought Bulletin, the valley is experiencing lingering effects from last summer’s wildfires, hot and dry conditions in 2022 and 2023, limited snowpack, an early freshet, and a warm, dry spring.
Also under Stage 2 water regulations:
- Properties with automated time clock sprinkler systems may only irrigate between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on the days permitted;
- Properties with manually controlled sprinkler systems, including those attached to outside taps, may only irrigate between midnight and 11:00 a.m. or between 6:00 p.m. and midnight on the days permitted;
- Sprinkling is not permitted between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.;
- General rules allow hand watering of all landscape plant materials and vegetable plantings, excluding lawns.
For more details on regulations and conservation tips, visit the City of West Kelowna website.
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