Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc has implemented year-round watering restrictions, following a similar move by the City of Kamloops.

It says the new regulations – which took effect on May 1 – mean people in even-numbered addresses can irrigate on even numbered days, while those in odd-numbers addresses can do so on odd numbers days.

“Drought conditions continue to persist across the province,” Tk’emlúps said, in a statement. “The province communicated earlier this year about the potential for drought.”

All irrigation is to take place before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m., with no irrigation permitted during those hours.

The band also says all automated irrigation is to take place between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. on the appropriate day.

“Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is acting now to assist community members, businesses, and farmers to prepare for drought so we can respond quickly, recover faster and be ready for expected drier conditions,” the statement added.

“TteS is again asking community members and businesses to play their part in helping to conserve our local water supply and protect the environment.”

The latest snowpack readings shows the snowpack on the South Thompson at 80 per cent of normal, while the North Thompson is at 71 per cent of normal. Both those basins are above the provincial average of 66 per cent of normal.

“The numbers, when you say compared to the provincial average, look to be ok,” Kamloops Utility Services Manager Greg Wightman told Radio NL this week.

“But if you compare the numbers to what we were facing last year in our local watershed, we’re quite a bit lower than what we saw in 2023. We all saw what that summer ended up looking like.”

Wightman says the City of Kamloops would have to hit drought level 4 before its advanced watering restrictions take effect.

“We are in drought level 2 for the South and North Thompson. No change to our current water restrictions. The current restrictions stay in place from drought level 0 to 3, so we’re still well within that,” Wightman added.

“But we’re certainly into that season now where drought levels could change at any time.”