Worsening drought conditions have prompted the Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO), to move to Stage 3 outdoor watering restrictions.
This comes after the province declared a Level 3 drought for the Southern Interior on July 14. According to the RDCO, this level of drought can have 鈥渟erious effects on ecosystems and communities without meaningful water conservation.鈥�
To help protect the water supply, residents in affected areas are now limited to watering lawns and gardens just one day a week. If your address ends in an even number, your day is Saturday. Odd-numbered homes can water on Sundays.
鈥淭hese restrictions are essential,鈥� the RDCO said in a statement. 鈥淏y following watering restrictions, residents help protect water sources, reduce pressure on infrastructure and support the health of local watersheds.鈥�
The new rules apply immediately to residents on the following systems:
- Star Place
- Falcon Ridge
- Killiney Beach
- Sunset Ranch
- Upper Fintry/Shalal Road/Valley of the Sun
- Westshore
Along with reduced watering days, the rules also limit when residents can water, and what they can use water for.
Here鈥檚 what鈥檚 allowed under Stage 3 restrictions:
- Automated sprinklers: Only between midnight and 6 a.m.
- Manual watering: Only between 6鈥�11 a.m. and 6 p.m.鈥搈idnight on your designated watering day
What鈥檚 not allowed:
- Filling swimming pools, hot tubs, or garden ponds
- Running decorative fountains
- Washing cars, boats, driveways, or patios
鈥淩esidents are encouraged to skip watering altogether if it is not needed,鈥� the RDCO added. 鈥淐onserving water helps ensure there is enough supply for essential needs throughout this extended dry period.鈥�
The restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
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