Air Quality Management Successes
Air Quality Advisory System (1998)
The Ministry of Environment regional office in Kamloops and the Okanagan Similkameen Health Region in Kelowna jointly issue air quality advisories during periods of deteriorated air quality. These advisories are meant to educate the public about air pollution and protect the health of the general population. Air quality advisories are faxed throughout the Okanagan to media outlets, hospitals, health authority, municipalities, regional districts, government agencies, fire departments, industry, agriculture and other participating organizations.
A preventive advisory occurs when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 25 (fair) due to airborne particles (i.e. smoke) or ozone, and forecasted weather conditions indicate that further deterioration in air quality is likely to occur. A second "action" advisory is sent out when the (AQI) reaches a reading of 50 (poor). Included in that advisory is a call to action to stop burning as well as some self-care tips. Those with health conditions such as asthma may want to take self-care action even when a "preventive advisory" is issued.
Educational Programs in School District #23
In October 1998 the City of Kelowna Environment Division introduced an interactive air quality education program, “Gliding Through the Airshed,” for the Central Okanagan School District and the general public. The free program examines the causes of poor air quality in the Central Okanagan and provides examples of ways to reduce air pollution emissions.
Light Duty Vehicle Emission Clinics
A free Vehicle Emission Inspection Clinic ran for nine years from 1998 to 2006 sponsored and operated by Environment Canada in partnership with the Regional Air Quality Program. Over 700 vehicles were tested for vehicle emissions at this event.
Heavy Duty Vehicle Emissions Clinic
The primary objective of the clinic was environmental awareness in the transportation sector. This educational clinic was held in the Central Okanagan for three years and is a partnership between the Insurance Corporation of BC and the Regional Air Quality Program. Owners of vehicles that fail the emissions test will not be fined, nor is it mandatory to have the emissions system fixed, however owners are encouraged to do so in order to maintain good air quality in the Central Okanagan.
The amount of emissions is determined by measuring the opacity from the vehicle’s exhaust stack (opacity is the measure of the amount of light that can penetrate the exhaust). The test takes approximately 10-15 minutes to perform.
Workshops for the public, politicians and community leaders
An integral component of successful air quality management plans implemented in other regions across North America was the involvement of the public and stakeholder groups throughout the process. Other plans stress the importance of public input in prioritizing air quality issues. Incorporating public opinion into an air quality management plan not only minimizes committee conflicts over what they believe the priorities should or should not be, but also encourages public support for the plan.
A series of three public workshops was conducted in a twelve month period over 1999 and 2000, moving sequentially from information, to consideration of actions, to analysis of strategies. Results of some of these workshops can be found on the website under “Workshop Summaries”.
Burning Bylaws - Venting Index (1996)
Environment Canada provides free information to help those who wish to conduct open burning in the Okanagan Valley. The Ventilation Index (VI) is a measure of the atmosphere’s ability to disperse smoke. The higher the number, the less the risk of air pollution. The index ranges from 0 to 100. A value of 55 or greater is recommended as the minimum value at which open burning should be considered. Outdoor burning permits issued throughout the Central Okanagan require that the Venting Index must be in the good range before burning starts. The Ventilation Index (VI) service started on Clean Air Day, 1996.
The winter is dominated by strong inversions, which is typically a poor time to burn in the Central Okanagan. The worst scenario occurs when the inversion lifts, but remains below the height of the local hills. While the index may be fair or even good in this situation, smoke will not be able to disperse out of the valleys and indeed will be mixed downward significantly reducing air quality.
By knowing the frequency of good venting days one can better plan burning and thereby lessen the impact of smoke on the population. Periods of poor air quality in the region can often be correlated to the periods of poor ventilation (Source: Environment Canada, 1996).
Burning Bylaws - Open Burning Bans
Outdoor burning is prohibited on all properties under 1 acre in the Districts of Lake Country, West Kelowna, and Peachland, the Regional District and the City of Kelowna.
Regional Smoke Control Bylaw (1998)
Developed by the Regional District of the Central Okanagan in 1998 to reduce emissions from open burning, campfires and wood burning appliances. It is a nuisance by-law enforced through complaints only.
Research
- Kelowna Regional Transit System Survey (Transportation Demand Management, spring 2000)
- Wind and air movement in the Central Okanagan (1999)
- Time-lapse Video Study (Spring 1999)
- Transportation Emissions Study (1995)
- Wood Residue Survey (1999)