Jennifer Smith - Kelowna Capital News Published: May 07, 2010 11:00 PM
The City of Kelowna is considering declaring a stage one mild drought condition as of June 1, which would run through September. The title means the bureaucracy would like to see water use at peak levels reduced by 10 per cent and comes with a few quirky conditions. Residents would be asked to follow usual watering guidelines with homeowners at odd numbered street addresses restricted to watering on odd days of the month and those with even addresses restricted to even days on the monthly calendar; but on the 31st day of months with the extra 24-hour period, no one would be allowed to water, unlike under normal restrictions when everyone is allowed to water. Parks would see a 20 per cent reduction on watering, with some park watering limited to only three or four days per week. Golf courses and agriculture would be subjected to the same.
According to a report before council this week, the Okanagan may be in a state of drought this year although there is “uncertainty as to what the proposed approach and guidelines will be.” Agriculture and outdoor watering are said to be the major problem areas the city must focus on with indoor water use posing little problems. Monday afternoon, the political wing of City Hall will decide whether the restrictions are really the way to go, but under this council and the previous one Mayor Sharon Shepherd oversaw, water conservation has been a priority.
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