City looks to restrict water use, misuse

Ron Seymour 2010-03-02 Kelowna Daily Courier:
Water use in Kelowna could drop by 15 per cent in the next two years, council heard Monday. A variety of measures – including higher rates, enhanced leak detection, conservation campaigns and changes to the look of landscaping around new developments – could be used. “I‘m glad that we‘re pushing even further ahead in water conservation,” Coun. Angela Reid said after council heard water consumption had already dropped 20 per cent since 1998, the reduction credited mostly to the installation of water meters that year. But an offhand comment by Reid that “cedar (trees) don‘t belong in the Valley,” brought a spirited rebuttal from Coun. Andre Blanleil. If people are willing to pay for the water to landscape their yards how they wish, they should be able to do so, Blanleil said. “I‘m a little bit afraid when I hear, ’We‘re going to ban this, ban that,‘” Blanleil said. “I don‘t want to see our city become a desert-looking city.” Coun. Luke Stack said he didn‘t see anything wrong with cedar trees (notorious water hogs) and acting Mayor Charlie Hodge made light of the debate, saying “poor little cedar plants.”

The city‘s building regulations will be updated to require a new generation of ultra-low flow toilets and other water fixtures in new construction, staffer Don Degen told council. Current regulations have not changed since the mid-1990s. City staff will also suggest to developers they consider landscaping in new projects that use less water than traditional lawns and gardens, though the details of how this might be accomplished have yet to be finalized. Within city limits, about 55 per cent of water use goes for the irrigation of farmland. Of the rest, about 70 per cent is for lawn and garden watering at residential and commercial properties, with indoor use accounting for the balance.