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).
Summer 2026 watering restrictions are currently effect - see below for more information.
Stage 1 water restrictions are in effect for City Water Utility customers as of May 12, 2026.
Stage 1 Outdoor Watering Restrictions Schedule:
| Automatic Irrigation Systems Manual Sprinklers | |
| Odd-numered addresses | Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays |
| Even-numbered addresses | Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays |
| All addresses | No watering on Mondays |
Watering restrictions and designated watering times include:
- Manual sprinkling and handheld watering is permitted between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. OR between 7 p.m. and midnight on designated days.
- Automatic sprinklers may operate between midnight and 6 a.m. on designated days.
Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect for City Water Utility customers as of June 4, 2026.
Owners of non-farm properties and hobby farms are required to conform to the following water schedule:
| Stage 2 Automatic Irrigation Systems & Manual Sprinklers | |
| Odd numbered addresses | Water only on Tuesday and Saturday |
| Even numbered addresses | Water only on Wednesday and Sunday |
| No properties allowed | No watering allowed on Monday, Thursday or Friday |
- Automatic underground irrigation systems may run between midnight and 6 a.m. on assigned days.
- Manual sprinklers can run between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. OR 7 p.m. and midnight on assigned days.
- Hand watering using a spring-loaded nozzle is allowed on any day between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. OR 7 p.m. and midnight.
Owners of farm properties:
- Agricultural water allotments will be reduced by 20 per cent: customers will be allotted 2218 cubic metres (CM) per acre compared to the full 2772 CM. Consumption of water will be closely monitored and be firmly capped once the reduced allotment is reached (no overages allowed).
Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect for customers connected to the District of Lake Country water system as of May 4, 2026.
Regardless of season or conditions, water restrictions are in effect all year, for all City Water Utility customers.
| Odd numbered addresses | Water only on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday |
| Even numbered addresses | Water only on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday |
| No properties allowed | No watering on Mondays |
- 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.
- Manual hand watering (watering can or spring loaded nozzle) is allowed at any time.
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.
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.
As per Water Regulation Bylaw 10480, customers of the Kelowna Utility may apply for a temporary exemption (permit) from the water restrictions for the purpose of the planting of new grass seed or sod. There is no cost to the permit and is allowed for up to two weeks, depending on the current state of drought conditions. To apply, please email [email protected] the following information:
- Property address
- Property owner name
- Date of exemption requested
- Reason for exemption
