By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle

The Town of Oliver has announced Stage 1 Water Restrictions effective May 20. The decision was made at the regular meeting of Council on May 19 where Kelly Mercer, Director of Operations highlighted low water levels in the town’s key observation well.

Mercer noted the below-average snowpack, declining groundwater levels, and early-season drought indicators. “Increasing temperatures as we enter the summer months will put further pressure on our water supply which is why it is vital to increase water conservation at this time,” the Town said.

The usefulness of the data obtained from the town’s observation well was questioned due to the fact it is from December 2025. Mercer noted that the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship only takes readings from the well twice a year, something the town will be asking to have increased.

Town of Oliver Water and Rural Domestic Water System customers will now move to Stage 1 Water Restrictions. Properties that have water flowing through a water meter, or are using domestic groundwater for irrigating, must restrict their irrigation based on house numbering.

Properties with multiple units per civic address, such as mobile home parks, should base their irrigation on their unit number where possible.

Properties using canal water from a separate irrigation service for farming practices are not affected at this time.

Watering may take place for no more than two hours on each permitted irrigation day and only between the hours of 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.

  • Odd numbered addresses on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
  • Even numbered addresses on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday

Micro Irrigation and Drip-Irrigation Systems may run for an additional day per week due to their increased efficiency. Additional watering days must be limited to only such systems.

  • Odd numbered addresses – bonus day Thursday
  • Even numbered addresses – bonus day Thursday

Food producing plants are excluded from these restrictions.

Hand watering is also permitted outside of the prescribed watering days.

For more information on restrictions, watering tips, and regional drought information visit the following websites:

Town of Oliver – oliver.ca/town-services/water

Okanagan Basin Water Board – obwb.ca and makewaterwork.ca