Stage 1 water restrictions remain in place
The weather is heating up — and drying out — and that has municipal officials issuing a reminder about residential watering.
Stage 1 watering restrictions remain in place for the City of Kelowna Water Utility, including all water customers receiving water from the Southeast Kelowna water supply system.
While the region received some precipitation in June, the current conditions are hot and dry and the City Water Utility is experiencing higher demand, putting significant pressure on delivery systems.
The Utility is asking customers to be especially vigilant during this time by ensuring that timing of irrigation matches the assigned day watering schedule, fixing leaking taps or pipes and reducing household water consumption by avoiding unnecessary use such as washing driveways.
Residents can visit kelowna.ca/water to view the Kelowna Coordinated Drought Plan (City of Kelowna Bylaw 10480).
Water restriction stages run from ‘normal’ through to ‘Stage 4’ with increasing water use restrictions.
Under the current ‘Stage 1’ water restrictions:
Properties with an odd number address may water yards and lawns on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; even address numbers may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. No properties are to water on Mondays.
Automatic underground irrigation systems may run between 12 a.m. (midnight) and 6 a.m. up to three days per week. For example, an odd numbered home can water anytime between 12 a.m. (midnight) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and/or Saturday.
Manual sprinklers and handheld sprinkling (with a spring-loaded nozzle on hose or a with a watering can) can occur between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and midnight on the assigned day, up to three days per week.
For more information on watering restrictions and to find conservation tips, visit kelowna.ca/watersmart.
Agricultural irrigation users arealso reminded to be diligent with their water use and follow best practices in efficient agricultural irrigations. For more resources, visit obwb.ca/ag