Stage 1 restrictions now in place for Olalla Water System in South Okanagan – Okanagan | 24CA News
In what could possibly be an indication of issues to come back for B.C.’s Southern Interior, the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has issued watering restrictions for one neighborhood.
The RDOS says Stage 1 restrictions at the moment are in place for the Olalla Water System, which serves roughly 200 properties round 45 kilometres southwest of Penticton.
“This is necessary to reduce pressure on the system and to maintain adequate firefighting flows,” stated the regional district.
Stage 1 restrictions, added the RDOS, are supposed to scale back complete and peak use by 10 per cent.
Affected residents can solely water their lawns, shrubs or flowers twice per week — besides on Mondays.
Manual sprinkling shall be allowed from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., whereas automated sprinkling is allowed from 12:01 a.m. to six a.m.
There are exceptions for newly planted sod, timber or flowering shrubs (any day at any time, for the primary 49 days after planting) and topping up or refilling swimming pools, sizzling tubs, ponds or water options (as much as a most of 40,000 litres).
“Stage 1 is to inform the public of the potential for more severe drought if early drought (drier than average) conditions for local area are occurring,” stated the RDOS.
In associated news, the Okanagan Basin Water Board issued a drought bulletin on Friday.
“Okanagan water purveyors should closely monitor supplies and customer demand and consider ramping up communication with customers in preparation for potentially worsening drought conditions this summer,” stated the Water Board, including the snowpack within the Okanagan area is now fully melted.
“Streamflows have declined significantly over the last few weeks, with many flows reaching the lower end of the historical range for this time period.”
The Water Board continued, saying “Whether a community moves to a higher restriction stage depends on several factors, including customer demand, infrastructure capacity and local water supply conditions. That said, everyone should be using water wisely.”
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