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Watering the yard will be restricted to three days per week at set hours. (Image Credit: Pexels.com)
Drought concerns

Water restrictions start in Kelowna

May 11, 2026 | 5:04 PM

The City of Kelowna is implementing Stage 1 water restrictions as of Tuesday, May 12.

That’s in response to Okanagan Lake being at a record low due to low snowpack and lack of precipitation.

This restriction does not apply to agricultural customers served by the non-potable irrigation system.

Automatic Irrigation Systems & Manual Sprinklers can only be used three days a week.

  • Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays
  • Even-numbered addresses: Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays
  • No watering is allowed on Mondays.

“We are not immune to drought conditions in Kelowna despite the size of Okanagan Lake. As we enter peak season for water use, we need to prioritize conservation to guarantee consistent water supply for all Water Utility customers,” Water Quality & Customer Care Supervisor, Ed Hoppe, said in a media release. “Roughly a quarter of the Utility’s water is used on yards so a great first step is for all of us to familiarize ourselves with the watering schedule and comply with restrictions.”

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