Water restrictions

In Kelowna there are year-round, assigned day water conservation measures in place to help to reduce peaks in water use, reducing the high demands on our water delivery system at any given time. This allows the system to keep up with the demands for clean drinking water, irrigation and commercial use, and gives it the ability to store water for future use (i.e. in case of local fires).

As of October 1, 2023, the City of Kelowna is under Normal irrigation restrictions:

Water use restrictions chart

Should further water restrictions be required, revised watering guidelines will be highlighted here. For details on all stages, or to learn more about commercial water use restrictions, public institutional water use restrictions and agricultural water use restrictions, see Schedule E - City of Kelowna Water Use Restrictions Stages

  • Automatic underground irrigation systems may be run between midnight and 6 a.m. up to three days per week.
    • E.g. an odd-numbered home can water anytime between midnight and 6 a.m.  on Tuesday, Thursday and/or Saturday.
  • Manual sprinklers may be run between 6-10 a.m. or 7 p.m. and midnight on the assigned day, up to three days per week.

Assigned day water conservation measures help us use water wisely so that we can continue to supply sufficient water for all our needs without expensive upgrades to our delivery system. 

City Water Utility’s water conservation efforts

The City Water Utility sources its water from Okanagan Lake and provides water to just over half of the Kelowna population. Since moving to a metered water system and charging variable water rates in 2003, the Utility has made significant progress in water conservation efforts, giving us an edge during drought years. These variable rates demonstrate the value of water to customers by increasing rates as water consumption rises.

There are four major water providers operating within city boundaries, each with their own water supply rates, requirements and watering restrictions. Please check your water provider's website for specific details on watering restrictions for your area.