In support of the provincial drought response, the City of Kelowna water utility will begin implementing odd/even water restrictions for customers, beginning Aug. 4.

This means properties with an address ending in an odd number can water on odd calendar days and those with an even address number can water on even calendar days.

Automatic underground irrigation systems may run between midnight and 6 a.m. Manual sprinklers and watering by hose (hand watering) can occur between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. and midnight on the scheduled odd/even day.

Restrictions will remain in effect until Sept. 20.

More than 15 years ago, residential and commercial water meters were installed and variable water rates were introduced to encourage conservation year round.

The variable rates demonstrate the value of water to customers by increasing rates as water consumption rises.

From 2003 to 2014, single-family residential water consumption decreased by 20 per cent per capita.

While many water purveyors in the province are on mandatory odd/even restrictions year round that has never been the case in Kelowna.