The Keremeos Irrigation District announced
increased water restrictions about a week after the
province designated the area in a Level 4 Drought
rating.
“In response to the Level 4 drought rating by the
Province and the near record low stream flows for
the Similkameen, the Keremeos Irrigation District
advises its customers that Stage 2 water restrictions
are in effect until further notice,” a Tuesday morning
press release from the KID stated.
Under the new restrictions daytime watering is no
longer allowed.
Residents may only water between the night time
hours of 7 p.m. to mid-morning at 10 a.m.
The same rules apply for residential properties in
regards to watering on the calendar days corresponding
with the physical street address. Even numbered
houses water on even days, odd on odd.
The District also requires that its agricultural
customers reduce their water consumption by a
minimum 30% under the Provinces request.
Properties 2 acres or more in size in the
Agricultural Land Reserve with a district irrigation
connection and appropriate flow restrictor and
who meet the farm status classification with BC
Assessment Authority are exempt from these restrictions
for watering their commercial crops only.
Underground irrigation systems on an automatic
timer shall be permitted to water between the hours
12 a.m. and 6 a.m. only on the calendar days corresponding
with their odd or even street addresses.
The number of sprinklers which may operate
during the permitted hours based on the size of the
property are as follows:
0 - .25 acres - 1 sprinkler
26 - .50 acres - 2 sprinklers
51 - .75 acres - 3 sprinklers
76 - 100 acres - 4 sprinklers
Those found not to comply with the restrictions
could face a fine.
At Level 4 drought rating, conditions are extremely
dry. Further declines in stream, lake and aquifer
levels could lead to water shortages and affect people,
industry such as agriculture, wildlife, and fish
stocks. All water users, including those who
access groundwater, are urged to maximize their
water conservation efforts.