When we think about Kelowna a beautiful natural landscape and an abundance of waterways come to mind, as Kelowna is home to a number of stunning waterscapes. Cycling along Waterfront Park, kayaking at Rotary Beach, or walking along the Mission Creek Greenway, residents and visitors enjoy access to a clean lake and several creeks for recreation.
But these water resources not only provide fun and enjoyment for people of all ages. They are also the source for our household water. When we water the lawn, flush the toilet, or turn on the tap, our water comes from the lake, a creek or ground water.
Water Use Regulations
With irrigation season underway and the forecast for a very hot summer, it makes sense to be informed about the water use regulations in our city. Regulations are commonplace across the province and are implemented for several reasons including to protect our water resources, to reduce peak flow demand on utility systems, and to encourage the adoption of efficient water use practices.
The five major water providers in Kelowna have adopted the same water use schedule. Currently, under 'normal' conditions (non-drought stage), watering is permitted up to three days per week. In order to protect water resources for present and future use, the City of Kelowna is asking residents to abide by the following guidelines.
Photo Credit: City of Kelowna
Automatic underground irrigation systems may run between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. and manual sprinklers may run between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and 12 a.m.
Hand watering or using a spring loaded nozzle can occur at any time, even Mondays!
Tips for saving water
Alongside following the above water use schedule, you can take easy steps to optimize your water use.
– Water your lawn only about one inch (2.5 cm) per week.
– Resist the urge to increase lawn watering and accept some brown in your lawn. Grass is resilient and it will bounce back!
– Top-dress lawns and gardens with compost, this reduces water demand by up to 25% in addition to providing important nutrients!
– Consider drought-tolerant plants as part of your yard landscaping.
– Test your irrigation system for leaks and if you find a leak, contact an irrigation contractor to get it fixed.
Photo Credit: City of Kelowna
Why cut back on water usage?
The reasons for cutting back on water usage boils down to three factors;
It’s cheaper; if you are on a metered system with your water provider, conserving water can save you money on your water bill.
It saves time; efficient landscape techniques can reduce fertilizer and pesticide use and the need for maintenance
It’s the right thing to do; many of Kelowna’s residents depend on our water sources for their livelihood. In addition, many unique and fascinating species call our waterscapes home. When we protect our lake, we also help and protect others!
“Whether your water comes from the ground, a creek or a lake, these are our shared water resources and our shared responsibility,” said the City of Kelowna. “It's up to each of us to do our part to ensure our water resources are sustainable and available for generations to come.”
The City of Kelowna also recommends residents understand which of the 5 water providers they receive water from. The above regulations have been adopted by all 5 water providers yet each provider might need to enforce further regulations. The 5 water providers and their regions are featured in the map below;
Photo Credit: City of Kelowna
KelownaNow sponsored content is written and posted in partnership with participating businesses. While KelownaNow retains editorial control of sponsored content, the content is created in collaboration with the sponsor.
