When we think about Kelowna, a beautiful natural landscape with images of water 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, natural wetlands, and several creeks for recreation.
Not only do these water resources provide fun and enjoyment for people of all ages, but 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.
Kelowna is unique compared to most municipalities because it is home to five independent water providers operating within its municipal boundaries. All water providers, except the City of Kelowna, report to the provincial Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. These five independent water providers and their water sources are:
If you don't know who your water provider is, it's easy to find out. Simply type in your address here.
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:
1. To protect our water resources and help keep our water providers well supplied for the future.
2. To reduce peak flow demand on utility systems.
- Peak demand is when water use is at its highest, typically at the end of July and beginning of August, and puts additional strain on water systems and utility operations.
3. To encourage the adoption of efficient water use practices.
It is important to know who your water provider is in the event that they announce a change in regulations. Because each provider gets water from a different water source, it is possible that one or more may need to move to a different set of regulations in certain situations. So, while one water provider may remain under the 'normal' stage, another may need to move to Stage 1 regulations to conserve water supply for its customers. Each water provider has its own specific triggers to indicate whether to move to a higher stage of conservation regulations.
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.
Timing is important too!
Along with following your provider's water use schedule, you can take steps to optimize your water use. It's easy and small changes can make a big difference.
Whether your water comes from the ground, a creek, or a lake, these are our shared water resources and our shared responsibility. It's up to each of us to do our part to ensure our water resources are sustainable and available for generations to come.
This article is brought to you by the Black Mountain Irrigation District, Glenmore-Ellison Irrigation District, City of Kelowna, Rutland Waterworks District, and the South-East Kelowna Irrigation District.
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