Times-Chronicle Staff
Stage 2 water restrictions are now in effect in the Town of Oliver and portions of Area C.
Under Stage 2, residents are asked to restrict their irrigating to two days a week using even and odd house numbering as a guideline. This applies to all in-town and rural water customers that use domestic groundwater and surface (canal) water for irrigation.
“By being waterwise now and making small adjustments we can help safeguard that we will have enough water for our summer water needs,” said the Public Works department in a news release.
Residents in odd numbered houses are asked to water on Wednesday and Saturday, while even numbered residents are asked to irrigate on Tuesday and Friday.
At this time agricultural customers (farm status) may continue to water to maintain the health of their crops but are being asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by an additional 20 per cent by monitoring for leaks and reducing watering during the heat of the day if possible.
Residents are encouraged to adjust their residential underground irrigation systems to water lawns, trees and shrubs between midnight and 7 a.m. on their watering day. Extra hand watering is permitted for personal gardens, trees and shrubs.
Public Works crews and bylaw enforcement officers are visiting properties who may be in violation of the water restrictions. Non-compliant properties can be fined $275.
There is little doubt the Okanagan is on the front lines of climate change, shifting between flooding and drought and extreme fire seasons,” said Public Works. Visit makewaterwork.ca or okwaterwise.ca for more information on water conservation.
