A call for a 30% reduction in water consumption

Responding to dry conditions, the BC Government extended its Drought Response Level 3 to include all the Okanagan as of Wednesday, July 15th due to concerns for fish stocks resulting from observed low stream flows and warming water temperatures. Additionally, angling has been suspended in all streams and rivers throughout the South Okanagan which includes all streams and rivers in the Similkameen drainage.

What does “Level 3 Drought” mean?
Level 3 means conditions are becoming very dry.
Potential serious ecosystem or socio-economic impacts are possible or imminent, or impacts already occurring.
Emphasis continues to be on voluntary conservation but increased water restrictions may be imposed by water service providers.

What can we do to help?
The RDOS is asking all residential, agricultural and commercial users of water across the District, on both private and public water systems, to reduce their overall water consumption by 30%. This voluntary reduction may prevent the need for further mandatory restrictions in the future.

Observe how much water used in a day and then look for ways to reduce consumption. Make it a family, neighbourhood or personal challenge to reduce usage, make water work and re-use water creatively. We can make a difference and continue to have enough water for all.

Residents can visit http://www.rdos.bc.ca/departments/public-works/water-systems/water-conservation/ for more conservation tips.

What is the RDOS doing in response to the Provincial statement?
The RDOS is closely monitoring water usage in the public water systems operated by the RDOS and is observing an increase in consumption compared with the last 5 years of data.

The RDOS’s Parks and Recreations Department has reduced irrigation usage in all of the RDOS parks by 30%.