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It looks like this year’s watering restrictions are here to stay in the Okanagan.
On Monday, the City of Kelowna staff suggested that Council approve the permanent implementation of odd/even water restrictions for Kelowna Water Utility customers, as a means of efficiently sustaining Kelowna’s irrigation system throughout future years of drought and to help facilitate a cultural impact on water conservation.
On July 17th, the Okanagan Valley was declared a level three drought community, and then on July 27th, the Valley reached a level four drought, prompting the City of Kelowna to implement odd/even watering restrictions to ensure conservation.
Odd/even watering restrictions allowed residents with odd number addresses to water lawns and yards on odd calendar days, and those with even number addresses to water on even calendar days.
Conservation efforts proved to be successful, as daily water use dropped from 15 per cent above average to eight per cent below average.
Aside from watering restrictions, water conservation has been aided by the implementation of universal water metering in Kelowna, as well as an increasing block rate structure for residential use.
Monday's Council meeting provided City Staff with an opportunity to inform Council of their intentions moving forward, and although not technically approved at this time, a bylaw amendment will likely be passed by Council in the near future.
As such, odd/even watering restrictions will likely be in effect year round, even when drought conditions are not prevalent.
The city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods are serviced from five irrigation systems. The Kelowna Water Utility services around 17,000 customers, while the rest of the community is serviced via the following systems: Black Mountain Irrigation District, Glenmore Ellison Improvement District; Rutland Waterworks, and South East Kelowna Irrigation District.
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