By Times Chronicle Staff
With anticipated high demand on the town’s aquifers this July 1 long weekend, Osoyoos has imposed the next stage of water restrictions limiting watering to two days a week.
Under Stage Two Water Restrictions even numbered houses can water on Tuesdays and Saturdays and odd numbered houses can water on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Stage two represents low water supply conditions with the aim of reducing water use by roughly 20 per cent according to the town.
Speaking at a special meeting of council on Thursday, Rod Risling, Chief Administrative Officer said he hoped residents would cooperate and urged them to do their part in “conserving a precious resource”. He also highlighted that a key part of Osoyoos’ water consumption goes to watering lawns.
Risling also urged residents to adhere to the restrictions as Bylaw Enforcement Officers will be out enforcing the restrictions which includes fines up to $1,000.
Stage Two Water Restrictions
Watering two days per week
- Even address: Tuesday & Saturday
- Odd address: Wednesday & Sunday
Lawn and Aesthetic Garden Watering (manual sprinklers): Watering allowed between 6am-10am and 7pm-12am.
Lawn and Aesthetic Garden Watering (automatic timer sprinkler systems): Watering allowed between 12am-4am.
Lawn and Aesthetic Garden Watering (Micro jet or drip irrigation): watering allowed three days per week between 7pm-10am on stage 1 odd and even days.
Even address: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Odd address: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Lawn and Aesthetic Garden Watering (handheld sprinkling spring loaded nozzle on hose or watering can): watering allowed three days per week between 6am-10am and 5pm-12am on stage 1 odd and even days.
Even address: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Odd address: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
New (non-established) Lawns and Landscaping Sprinkling: Sprinkling permit required. Sod requires a 2 week permit to be displayed on the lawn. Seeding must start before April 30 of after Sept 1 and requires a 6 week permit to be displayed on lawn. After permit period, resume watering as per Stage 2 lawn & aesthetic garden watering restrictions guidelines.
Food Gardens & Fruit trees and shrubs: Follow Stage 1 Lawn & Aesthetic Garden watering restriction guidelines relevant to the system in use.
Garden Ponds, Aesthetic Fountains, and Water Features: Filling and refilling is permitted between 6am-10am and 7pm-12am 2 days per week.
Even address: Tuesday & Saturday
Odd address: Wednesday & Sunday
Pools: Filling and refilling is permitted between 6am-10am and 7pm-12am 2 days per week.
Even address: Tuesday & Saturday
Odd address: Wednesday & Sunday
Topping up only from July 15-Aug 31 unless pool has cartridge filter.
Cleaning Outdoor Surfaces (driveways, sidewalks, decks, artificial turf, patios): Washing with a spring-loaded nozzle for health and safety purposes or to prepare a surface for painting or similar treatment. Washing for aesthetic purposes is prohibited.
Vehicles: Use a bucket with cloth or sponge or visit a Water Smart commercial car wash.
