The City of Kamloops says drip irrigation will be permitted once again, effective Sept. 5, following a third straight week of reduced water usage.

Under the new restrictions, which came into effect on Aug. 14, outdoor watering and irrigation was only permitted through handheld spring-loaded nozzles over the past three weeks.

Data from the city shows water consumption between the week of Aug. 28 and Sept. 3 was 129,305 cubic metres, down from the 153,829 cubic metres during the week of Aug. 21 to 27.

Water use between Aug. 14 and 20 – the first week of enhanced restrictions – was 223,953 cubic metres, down from the roughly 377,953 cubic metres the previous week.

“I think it really shows the City of Kamloops and our understanding of the importance of the environment that we enjoy and the rivers that really define our city,” Utility Services Manager, Greg Wightman, told Radio NL on Aug. 24 following the first week of restrictions.

“I think people have really stepped up to the plate here.”

Other enhanced water restrictions – like the ban on personal washing of vehicles and boats as well as commercial pressure washing – will remain in effect for now. The goal, Wightman said, was to reduce water use by 25 per cent as both the North and South Thompson Rivers have been at Drought Level 5 since Aug. 3.

During the Aug. 15 meeting, Wightman also told City Council that the Province sent letters to the largest water users in the North Thompson and the South Thompson asking for a 30 to 50 per cent reduction in use.

“This is all being done to protect the water for salmon – both juvenile salmon and adult salmon – and all the other fish that live in our rivers,” Wightman said at the time.

“The concern right now is not the South and North Thompson rivers going dry. The concern is conserving every drop of water we can for the environment.”

For more on drought information in the City of Kamloops and water conservation, go here.