A polite request to use less water in Penticton

PENTICTON – The City of Penticton is asking residents to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 30 per cent in response to drought conditions and low reservoir levels.

The provincial government recently announced a Level 3 drought rating for the Okanagan, including Penticton and area. As well, low stream flows and warm water temperatures mean fishing has been suspended in rivers and tributaries in the region.

City spokesperson, Simone Blais, says in a news release people need to cut their water use by 30 per cent in order to avoid further water restrictions. The city will not be enforcing the request.

“While all dams reached full pool this year, the low snow pack and hot, dry weather conditions have resulted in a decline in reservoir storage levels approximately six weeks ahead of normal,” she says in the release.

Blais says water volumes in the Penticton Creek and Ellis Creek dam systems are being monitored to make sure the most water possible is being stored.

As well, the city has made adjustments to its water treatment plant to use lake water in an effort to maximize reserves.

You may notice the grass in city parks turning brown as crews cut watering by 30 per cent immediately.

The city has put water conservation tips on it’s website.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.