Greater Vernon residents are being consulted on proposed water restrictions.
The Regional District of North Okanagan has developed five stages of water restrictions based on reservoir levels, snowpack, precipitation trends, economic activity and population growth.
“The community has an opportunity to review the revised water use restrictions, as well as the 2011 drought management plan update, in advance of the new restriction stages being incorporated into bylaw,” said Zee Marcolin, acting general manager of engineering.
The utility serves Vernon, Coldstream, BX-Swan Lake and BX-Silver Star, as well as parts of Whitevale and Spallumcheen.
Plan information and a survey are available at www.rdno.ca/water, as well as at the RDNO office, Vernon city hall, the Coldstream municipal office and the Vernon library.
The initial stage of water restrictions is based on normal conditions where reservoir levels are 95 per cent of capacity.
As reservoir levels decline, other stages would proceed. The final stage would deal with an emergency loss of water supply.
The proposed restrictions were developed after consultation with stakeholders.
“Greater Vernon Water listened to the concerns raised by the community during the 2010 drought and determined that a review of the water use restrictions developed in 2006 was required,” said Marcolin.
Public comments on the plan will be accepted until Jan. 20.
