High water consumption in Olalla during the recent hot spell is a concern to regional district officials.
Regional District Okanagan Similkammen Public Works Manager Doug French said over the weekend of July 12-13, more than 1.1 million gallons of water was pumped to the Olalla reservoir.
“Everybody is watering,” French said, “the increased useage is increasing pumping costs.”
RDOS Water Conservation Ambassador Zoe Kirk said pumping efficiencies aren’t being maintained during the skyrocketing water useage.
“Maintaining reservoir capacity at 90 per cent is an ideal volume,” she said, “but with current useage lower efficiencies are takingi place.” Kirk said there is a concern that operating at lower capacity could affect the amount of water available in the reservoir to the community in the event of a power outage or a fire.
“With the number of fires breaking out around us, it is important to try to maintain the reservoir at optimum levels,” she said.”Twenty-six per cent of our water useage is for outdoor landscaping - people are encouraged to be conscientious about their water useage, and adhere to their water allotments and restrictions, to ensure we have our water at optimum levels in the event of an emergency.”