The City of Kamloops will be implementing enhanced water use restrictions and enforcement aimed at reducing city-wide water use on August 14.
This as both the North and South Thompson river basins are now at Drought Level 5, according to the latest update from the BC River Forecast Centre. It is the first time ever that the City of Kamloops has hit Drought Level 5 – the highest in a six-level scale that goes from zero (least severe) to five (most severe).
As of August 3, 28 of 34 river basins in British Columbia were at either Drought Level 4 or 5. The Salmon River is also at Level 5, while the Nicola, Coldwater, Okanagan, and Similkameen rivers remain at Level 4.
“Impending restrictions include a ban on outdoor watering and irrigating, with the exception of hand-held, spring-loaded nozzles,” the City said in a statement Thursday. “Irrigating by use of sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems is not permitted.”
“Washing of vehicles and boats will only be permitted at commercial wash locations unless washing for safety purposes. Pressure washing for aesthetic purposes will not be permitted.”
Drought conditions in BC as of August 3, 2023. (Photo via BC River Forecast Centre)
Utilities Services Manager Greg Wightman says those caught breaking the rules could face fines as well.
“If we are having people that are clearly just disregarding the rules, that is when we will start to leverage our Waterworks Bylaw and issue fines as much $100 a day,” Wightman said, noting the city’s two-phase approach to water conservation aims to reduce water use by 25 per cent.
“The reason for the delay between announcing the restrictions and enforcing them is to give people a chance to adjust their sprinkler systems including those who may be away for the long weekend,” Wightman added.
“I know that may seem strange without that context, but that was the rationale.”
He says the purpose of these new “extreme” restrictions is to ensure there is capacity in the City’s reservoirs to support emergency fire suppression efforts, if needed like during the Juniper Ridge fire on Canada Day in 2021.
“The current extreme drought conditions require drastic measures from residents and business owners to help conserve our water supply for domestic use and fire suppression and to protect our environment,” the City statement added. “[We have] already adjusted its irrigation systems to reduce water use by 25 per cent; however, irrigation of playing fields and public spaces will continue in order to prevent severe damage or loss of public assets and spaces.”
“If drought conditions persist and further a reduction of City irrigation is required, there may be an impact on playing field bookings to protect the fields from damage.”
For more on drought information in the City of Kamloops and water conservation, go here.
– With files from Paul James
