Regular water restrictions in the Town of Osoyoos are now in effect for most commercial and residential properties.
Sprinkling is allowed on residential and commercial properties based on address numbers. Even numbered addresses are permitted only on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, while odd-numbered addresses are permitted Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Properties with automated sprinkler systems may only have them in use between midnight and 6 a.m. on days when sprinkling is permitted at that address.
Manually controlled sprinklers, including those attached to outside taps, may only operate from 6 to 10 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight on permitted days.
Sprinkling is not permitted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the day any time of year.
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The use of water hoses is permitted for purposes of washing boats or motor vehicles and only when equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
Using water to wash sidewalks, driveways or parking lots is prohibited unless necessary for applying a product such as paint or preservative, or when preparing a surface prior to paving or re-pointing bricks (or if required by law to comply with heath or safety regulations).
Exempt from these restrictions are the watering of public sports playing fields, turf farms and golf courses. Watering of flower or vegetable gardens, planters, shrubs and trees with micro-irrigation or drip-irrigation, or a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle are exempt from restrictions. Other exemptions include commercial car washes using less than 57 litres of water per vehicle and anyone under the authority of a permit issued under the bylaw.
Owners or occupants of property who, by reason of physical or mental incapacity, are unable to water their properties within the restricted days and times may water their property on any two days of the week for a maximum of eight hours per day.
