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By John McDonald
Watering restrictions are causing some confusion in West Kelowna, with customers unsure of what rules apply to them and which don’t.
“There’s been some calls,” admitted Kirsten Jones, communications coordinator for the District of West Kelowna. “There is some confusion about what is Westbank Irrigation District and what is West Kelowna.”
Westbank Irrigation District customers are under stage two watering restrictions in response to low water levels in its mountain lake reservoirs.
Customers of other water providers, such as Lakeview Heights Irrigation District and the Westbank First Nation, are currently under the less stringent stage one restrictions.
Jones says customers should simply check their bills to verify which water provider services their area. “There’s usually all kinds of contact information on those bills, if you need to find out more.”
Restrictions explained
Westbank Irrigation District customers are under stage two water restrictions which means water shut-off and penalties totaling $100 for customers who abuse the restrictions, or as much as $2,000 for customers who tamper with metering equipment or other irrigation district equipment.
Stage one restrictions are in effect throughout the irrigation season, allowing for houses or condominium units with addresses ending in even numbers watering on even numbered calendar days and odd numbers watering on odd days.
Under stage two restrictions, lawn and garden irrigation is allowed just twice a week with even numbered houses and condominium units on Tuesdays and Saturdays and odd numbered units on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
In-ground automatic irrigation is allowed only on designated watering days between midnight and 6 a.m. while hose watering is allowed on watering days between 6 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight.
All non-essential watering is banned including washing down sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and tennis courts, as well as exterior washing of buildings except for fire control or protection.
Hand-washing cars is allowed on regular watering days. Hand-watering vegetable gardens and potted plants is allowed anytime.
Stage three and four restrictions, while not in effect at this point, would first see watering reduced to one day a week for stage three and a complete ban on watering for stage four.
To enforce the restrictions, look for irrigation district inspectors to be cruising the streets, both day and night, looking for violations.
To report a water restriction violation in the Westbank Irrigation District, call 250-768-5154.
