Change in water restrictions

Water restrictions for Southeast Kelowna, Crawford and Hall Road have been eased.

The stage 2 restrictions have been changed to stage 1, or normal year-round watering restrictions, where irrigation can now take place up to three times per week. All City of Kelowna water utility customers are now on the normal irrigation schedule.

“We appreciate the conservation efforts of residents in this area as we return to our normal watering restriction schedule,” said Andy Weremy, Water Operations Manager. “As irrigation demand increased with higher temperatures over the peak of summer, the restrictions in Southeast Kelowna were a necessary measure during this transition year to ensure the system expansion had adequate water for domestic consumption, sanitation and firefighting.”

Southeast Kelowna is now on the same watering schedule as the rest of the City of Kelowna water utility.

Under Stage 1/normal watering restrictions:

• Properties with an odd number address may water yards and lawns on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; even-numbered addresses 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.
• Manual sprinklers can operate between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. OR 7 p.m. and 12 a.m. (midnight) on the assigned day, up to three days per week.

All residents are asked to adhere to designated days and times, and to avoid excessive watering, even on designated days. Assigned day water conservation measures help to reduce peak water demands, using water wisely so that we can continue to supply sufficient water for all needs.

“The expansion of potable water into southeast Kelowna has been a massive undertaking and completed in a very short period of time,” said Alan Newcombe, Divisional Director, Infrastructure. “Commissioning the new system at the start of the peak irrigation season has been a challenge and resulted in an unanticipated negative impact to many of our customers. Staff will report to Council this fall with a project review to identify lessons learned and any resiliency issues that need to be addressed before the 2021 irrigation season.”

Watering restrictions do not apply to properties with Farm Status through BC Assessment or irrigation water use in the area which is sourced from the non-potable supply.

For more information about the updated year-round watering restrictions and the different water providers in Kelowna, visit kelowna.ca/water.