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With higher density planting and more efficient irrigation, orchardists use less water. (Photo Shelley Nicholl)
By Shelley Nicholl
Local fruit growers are watching their water and the weather as this summer could be a dry one.
At this point, Joe Sardinha, president of the B.C. Fruit Grower’s Association, said if everyone is careful and the weather is not too dry, there shouldn’t be any damage to the fruit industry even with a lower water supply and watering restrictions in place.
“We should still be able to grow apples and soft fruit crops with the water we’re given,” said Sardinha.
But growers still need to be careful.
“We’re concerned up and down the valley; all growers have to be wise in water use. We have a crop that’s dependent on water,” he added.
For growers in Southeast Kelowna, the irrigation district has imposed strong restrictions for homeowners to two watering days per week and growers are being asked to cut back usage by 20 per cent.
Sardinha said growers are used to fluctuating water supply from year to year and the Okanagan Mainline Water Board is working on a drought management plan.
As well, over the past several years, as growers have moved to higher density planting and more efficient irrigation systems, the amount of water used in many orchards has gone down.
But there are still challenges with the limited water. With more growth in some areas, the water supply is more taxed and will be in the future. The cost of water has increased is some areas, particularly Oliver, and if water purveyors do improvements the costs are often passed onto the users. That, in turn, affects the agriculture business.
Having a secure and affordable water supply is necessary and always an underlying issues, said B.C. Fruit Grower’s Association executive director Glen Lucas.
“We’re very cognizant of the limited water supply and the impact of water to growers,” he said. “Without water, we’re out of business.”
If severe drought conditions exists, growers can lose not only a crop, but their trees as well. That means the cost of new trees, replanting, and the loss of income for several years until the trees are in full production.
No one, however, is predicting losses this year.
“We haven’t suffered here yet,” said Lucas. “We hope we will avoid that.”
shelley@kelowna.com/(250) 575-0761
