Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 utility planning manager says last year was the driest year he has seen in the region害羞草研究所檚 water system.
害羞草研究所淭here was no rain for four and a half months in 2023,害羞草研究所� Rod MacLean told council at its Apr. 22 regular meeting.
害羞草研究所淚n 2022, it was the second worst year I have seen here.害羞草研究所�
MacLean updated council on water supply and storage levels and recommended actions to prepare for drought conditions.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e in the fourth year of a drought害羞草研究所nd we are not seeing things align this year,害羞草研究所� he added. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e concerned for the community at large and those around us.害羞草研究所�
MacLean said the drinking water supply is not at risk, but the irrigation supply is somewhat at risk.
害羞草研究所淔or our agriculture customers害羞草研究所e can provide them all their allotments, but no more. Hopefully, this provides our agriculture community with a bit of assurance towards a successful growing season.
He added the city will be working closely with the 34 agriculture users who went over their allotments in 2023.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 time to start the dialogue and education. Penalties will not be the solution to battling a drought.害羞草研究所�
Councillor Mohini Singh was concerned that the city could shut off water to users exceeding their limits.
MacLean said that is not the intention.
害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 have the facilities or resources to run around and shut off 400 farmers. Our goal is to provide the incentive to have people assess their systems at our expense and do what they can to be efficient and not waste water.害羞草研究所�
MacLean noted that what happens during spring will set the stage for the rest of the year.
害羞草研究所淗opefully it害羞草研究所檚 going to rain. I don害羞草研究所檛 count on that, we don害羞草研究所檛 count on that.害羞草研究所�
Singh asked that MacLean害羞草研究所檚 report be sent to the Agriculture Advisory Committee for its input, which council agreed to do.
As of Apr. 22, the city is under State 1 water restrictions. Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. No watering is allowed on Monday.
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