In the face of a possible drought this summer, lawn-watering in Osoyoos will be restricted to two days a week some time this month.

Council on Monday selected the twice-a-week option from amoung five presented by staff, ranging from no restrictions to a complete ban on watering.

Chief Administrative Officer Barry Romanko told council he received information from the BC River Forecast centre that snowpack levels are at extremely low levels.

The combination of low overall snowpacks and rapid spring melting indicates, “This may be an exceedingly dry year; therefore proactive measures may be considered for implementation,” said Romanko.

Councillor CJ Rhodes told council in making the motion to impose the twice-a-week restriction: “It is important to understand the implications of drought conditions. … (We are) heading toward a serious drought.”

Rhodes assured residents that watering just twice a week would not be harmful to lawns and gardens. “Everything will be fine with all your planting,” he said.

Under the bylaw approved on Monday, even-numbered addresses will be permitted to water only on Saturdays and Tuesdays, while odd-numbered addresses may water Sundays and Wednesdays.

Properties with automated underground sprinkling systems are restricted to watering between midnight and 6 a.m. on the permitted days.

Manually controlled sprinkling, including those attached to outside taps, may only operate between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Using a hose for washing boats, vehicles, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots or exterior building surfaces is prohibited at any time, except in exceptional circumstances.

Exempt from the restrictions are public sports playing fields and turf farms where irreparable damage would occur from lack of water.

As well, the bylaw exempts flower and vegetable gardens or decorative planters using micro irrigation. Car washes are restricted to 57 litres per wash.

The bylaw restricts golf courses from watering fairways. Romanko pointed out that the Osoyoos Golf Club is not affected by the ban since it uses water recycled from the town’s waste-water treatment facility.

Mayor Sue McKortoff was assured that the restrictions might be altered over the summer if conditions improve or worsen.

Among the options council did not choose were: no restrictions; watering on alternate days; once-a-week watering; no lawn watering; and a complete ban on any outdoor watering.

Public announcements of the restrictions will occur in compliance with the bylaw. As for timing, Romanko said, “I can’t see it happening for at least two weeks.”