Stage 3 Water Restrictions Now in Effect for IR1

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Effective immediately, the Okanagan Indian Band is implementing Stage 3 Water Restrictions for all of IR1, including the Whiteman’s Community Water System.

Earlier this week, Public Works identified an equipment failure at one of the wells that supplies water to the majority of the community. Since that time, crews have been working to assess the issue and secure the specialized equipment required to complete repairs. Unfortunately, Public Works has now confirmed that replacement equipment is not expected to arrive for several weeks.

While water service remains available, and residents are not expected to experience an interruption in service, the community is currently relying on reduced system capacity. Out of an abundance of caution, and to protect the long-term reliability of the water system, OKIB is moving to Stage 3 Water Restrictions.

This decision is being made to reduce demand on the system, protect critical water reserves, and minimize strain on the remaining infrastructure while repairs are completed. A key priority is ensuring there is adequate water capacity available for fire protection and emergency response. Maintaining sufficient water reserves for firefighting is critical, particularly during the summer months when water use is at its highest and wildfire risk remains elevated.

What Stage 3 Water Restrictions Mean

Under Stage 3 Water Restrictions, residents are asked to significantly reduce non-essential water use.

The following activities are not permitted:

• Filling or topping up pools and hot tubs
• Washing driveways, sidewalks, patios, and parking areas
• Operating decorative fountains that do not recirculate water
• Excessive irrigation
• Non-essential outdoor water use

The following activities are generally permitted:

• Indoor household use
• Hand watering of vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and food-producing plants
• Livestock and agricultural uses
• Fire protection and emergency uses
• Limited lawn watering on designated days and times

Watering schedule under Stage 3 water restrictions:

• Odd-numbered addresses may water lawns and gardens on Tuesdays and Saturdays only
• Even-numbered addresses may water lawns and gardens on Wednesdays and Sundays only
• No outdoor watering is permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Automatic irrigation systems may only operate between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on designated watering days
• Manual sprinklers may only be used between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. on designated watering days

Residents are encouraged to reduce non-essential water use wherever possible and use water wisely while Stage 3 restrictions remain in effect.

Public Works will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.

We understand these restrictions may be inconvenient, and we appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation. The response to the earlier restrictions has been positive, and every effort to conserve water helps protect the system for all residents.

Community members may be aware that many customers of the Greater Vernon Water utility are also under water restrictions due to ongoing dry conditions throughout the region. While OKIB’s groundwater-based water system operates differently than reservoir-based systems, conservation remains important whenever water system capacity is reduced.

Additional information regarding Stage 3 Water Restrictions, including permitted and prohibited water uses, is available at OKIB.ca or by contacting OKIB Public Works at 250-542-3444.