Kelowna water restrictions could go into effect as early as next week

Stage 1 water restrictions could be going into effect next week, if Kelowna City Council supports a staff recommendation.

A staff report providing an update on the city’s anticipated water supplies for 2024 will be recommending that the first stage of water restrictions be implemented due to ongoing drought conditions, which is anticipated to cause a shortage for the non-potable water system.

If approved, the restrictions would go into effect for all water customers of the Kelowna Water Utility. That stage is meant to increase residents’ awareness of the potential of more severe drought conditions that may happen later in the season.

“After multiple dry summers and an exceptionally low snowpack winter, current and projected conditions indicate the City must act to assure that water is available to all customers through to the end of 2024,” the staff report says.

The latest provincial data, which were released on April 10, shows that the provincial snowpack is “extremely low,” averaging 63% of normal.

The province said it is the lowest snowpack on record since 1970 and is leading to concerns about drought and the 2024 wildfire season.

In the Kelowna area, measurements for snow, lake and upland storage levels are averaging below normal levels.

Staff say the McCulloch (Hydraulic Creek) Watershed, which captures diverted water from upper licensed catchments and is the only supply of water for agricultural irrigation and fire protection year round in southeast Kelowna, is “well below normal” and started melting early this year.

“This will result in an earlier reliance on water reservoir storage to supply customers,” the report says.

“Our local snow courses indicate that there remains some snow frozen in the upper watershed, however these depths are also lower than normal.”

As for potable water, which is supplied from Okanagan Lake, staff say levels are near normal but snowpack across the valley is below normal and well below normal north of Penticton.

As a result, the operational staff at the Penticton dam are managing flow releases at “very low flows” to meet the minimum regulatory needs downstream, says the staff report.

Although the city does not anticipate Okanagan Lake reaching full pool this year, they do not anticipate and supply issued for the city’s water utility customers.

However, to allow for sustainable supply for all customers, meet environmental requirements, maintain flow needs for fish populations, and ensure upland reservoirs are not at risk of not filling, water restrictions are one of the “prudent actions” staff are recommending.

The other action staff are asking that council to support is a declaration that Agricultural Customers of the Kelowna Water Utility cannot exceed their annual allotment this year and if they do the city would be authorized to shut off water services.

However, based on previous years, it is not anticipated that this will be required.

Staff say over 80% of agriculture customers operated within their allotment volumes in 2023 and there are plans in place for “additional customer support and engagement” for the smaller group of agricultural customers who have historically not stayed within their allotment.

The report says staff will continue to monitor weather conditions, runoff capture and storage levels throughout the season and advise Council and the public if modifications are required to address local situations.

Another update is expected to be brought forward in late May.

Council will review the report and discuss the matter further during the April 22 meeting, which begins at 1:30 pm and can be watched through this link.

Thumbnail photo credit: 123rf