Kelowna's irrigation system is 'somewhat at risk,' staff monitoring supply

Stage one water restrictions are now in effect for all customers on the Kelowna Water Utility following a vote from city council this week.

Rod MacLean, the city’s utility planning manager, told council that the current and projected conditions indicate the city must act to assure that water is available to all customers through to the end of 2024.

After several years of drought and low snowpack levels, MacLean told council that although potable water users are expected to be okay, there is some concern for non-potable water users this year.

“It’s not magic, water is a finite resource (...) we’re in the fourth year of a drought and we are simply not seeing things align. We are seeing dry conditions and the combined effects of this are relatively serious,” MacLean told council members.

“We’re concerned for our community and those around us (...) our drinking supply is not at risk, however, water supply to others on the lake can be at risk.”

He pointed to the low flow levels being recorded at the dam in Penticton, which determines Okanagan Lakes overall levels.

MacLean told council that the city looks at water supply “holistically” and takes into consideration all the aspects that go into making restriction decisions, like the impact on fish populations, what the water level developments look like each season and how they are being maintained in the city’s system.

He said all those in the utility department are hoping to see rain to support the growing season, but that the agricultural community should be aware that the irrigation system is somewhat at risk but the city is taking steps now to ensure everyone will be provided their annual allotments this year but no more than that.

He said people will not be penalized, however, he told council members that now was the time to start spreading awareness.

“There needs to be a sense of urgency,” he told council.

Kevin Van Vliet, the city's utility services manager, told council that their department would be working with all farmers who have historically gone over their allotments to help them avoid that this year.

“We’ve offered to the top 34 users that exceeded their allotment last year for a personalized, on-site consultation with an irrigation expert,” Van Vliet said.

“We will fund an irrigation consultant to go on property, help that farmer look at their irrigation system and make sure it's working as best as it can, no leaks, it's optimized.”

He also said they have hired a summer student who will monitor water consumption and help the utilities department communicate with property owners to avoid giving over their allotment earlier in the season.

A motion brought forward by coun. Mohini Singh will see the matter brought to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for more input and another staff report will be brought forward next month.

Stage 1 water restrictions in effect as of April 22, 2024

In an effort to avoid problems later this summer, MacLean told council that stage 1 water restrictions will help educate residents about the severity of the situation.

Van Vliet said the goal of the restrictions are to educate the community of the water supply levels.

“A big part of our efforts at stage one water restrictions is to increase awareness across the community of the issue sin general,”

“There are water restrictions for everybody, there have been for many users.”

Stage 1 water restrictions are not different from normal restrictions, however, MacLean’s recommendation was to apply the restriction to all water users in Kelowna.

That includes agricultural users being limited to their annual allotments, effective immediately, for the first time ever.

That means all odd numbered houses are allowed to water only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, even numbered houses are limited to watering on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

No properties are allowed to water on Monday.

The city reminds all residents that automatic systems should be set to run from midnight until 6 am on the property’s assigned watering day. Manual sprinklers should run between 6-10 am or 7 pm and midnight, also on the assigned day.

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