All customers of the Black Mountain Irrigation District (BMID), including agricultural customers, are moving to stage one water restrictions to reduce overall water usage by 10%.
With the Okanagan being placed in a level three drought and the hot weather continuing, cutting back on unnecessary water use is a priority of the BMID.
The BMID explains that the upper reservoirs are sitting at a reasonable level and they “have had to release them three weeks earlier than normal.”
As a precautionary measure, the BMID is planning for long-term management of water levels if there is the possibility of a multi-year drought.
Residential users are reminded that odd-numbered houses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and even-numbered houses can water Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Automatic watering should run between midnight and 6 am while manual watering should be done between 6 and 10 am or 7 pm and midnight.
Agricultural and irrigation customers are reminded that the flow rate per acre has not changed, however, the total volume of water for their parcels is being reduced.
These customers are asked to check sprinklers, nozzles and flow rates to ensure they stay within their allocation.
BMID bailiffs will be patrolling the district to ensure customers are following the regulations, call 250 765-5169 if you have any questions.
For more information and to stay up to date, visit bmid.ca.
Visit this link to see confirm your water provider.
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