(Submitted image/Greater Vernon Water)

By Pete McIntyre

extremely high water use

Tighter water restrictions expected for Greater Vernon

Jun 30, 2021 | 5:25 PM

Greater Vernon residents are being urged to cut back on their water use.

Due to extremely high water use, Greater Vernon Water (GVW) says Stage 1 Water Restrictions may be implemented next week if water demand remains high. If customers take action now to reduce their water use we may be able to avoid further restrictions.

GVW recognizes that the extreme heat is hard on plants but asks customers to only water when needed. Most lawns only need water once per week to remain healthy. Lawns naturally brown and go dormant with minimal water when it is hot – this is okay and the lawn will green up when the weather cools.

“By being waterwise now and making small adjustments, such as only watering twice a week or cutting back irrigation run times by 10 per cent, we can hold on to more water for the remainder of the summer. GVW staff are managing our reservoirs to minimize storage losses – this effort combined with the support of customers will help our water supply last through this dry weather,” a GVW news release said.

The year round restrictions already in place, to promote efficient water use, gives customers options for which day (or days) they choose to water:

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• Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Saturday if their property has an ODD ADDRESS NUMBER
• Wednesday, Friday, and/or Sunday if their property has an EVEN ADDRESS NUMBER
• Automatic timer irrigation may operate between the hours of 12am-6am
• Manual sprinklers (moved by hand) may be used between the hours of 6am-10am and 7pm-12am
• High efficiency drip irrigation may operate daily between the hours of 7pm-10am
• Customers using a watering can or hose with spring-loaded nozzle may hand water anytime

Please note:

• NO YARD/GARDEN WATERING ON MONDAYS
• NO YARD/GARDEN WATERING BETWEEN 10AM AND 7PM ANY DAY

The restrictions in place now apply to all domestic customers – residential, commercial, and industrial.

Agricultural customers must adhere to the Maximum Flow Rate (0.78 liters per second per hectare of allocation). When customers exceed their flow rate, it can cause their neighbours to lose water pressure. We also ask that agricultural irrigation be monitored often for leaks and water use reduced wherever possible. Continued diligence will help ensure we have sufficient water to meet crop needs through to the fall.

(Submitted image/Greater Vernon Water)

For further information, please call 250.550.3700 or visit www.rdno.ca/waterrestrictions.

Agricultural customers can subscribe for GVW Supply Alerts at www.obwb.ca/alerts.