Watering Regulations and Conservation

Outdoor Water Usage Regulations apply to all properties within the City of West Kelowna (except exempt users). Stage 1 watering regulations are continuously in effect throughout the year, except when any of Stages 2, 3, or 4 are in effect.

• Sprinkling is not permitted between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. during any day, due to increased evaporation during these times.

Only one outlet (outside tap) may be used at one time for sprinkling.

Using an open pipe or hose for irrigating purposes is prohibited.

Hand watering of all landscape plant materials and vegetable plantings, excluding lawns, is permitted, except in Stage 4.

Properties that have both unit numbers and street numbers will adhere to the following guidelines:

• Units that have control of their own irrigation systems may water based on their unit number.
• Common areas within a complex may water on the days that correspond with the street number of the complex.
• Large properties and large strata properties (more than one acre in size) may split their common area watering between odd and even days due to the large area they cover.

Stage 1 

Sprinkling is only permitted as follows:

• Even numbered addresses on even calendar days
• Odd numbered addresses on odd calendar days

Automatically controlled sprinkling systems:

• Properties equipped with an automated time clock sprinkler system may only sprinkle between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. on the days permitted.

Manually controlled sprinklers:

• Properties equipped with manually controlled sprinkling systems, including those attached to outside taps, may only operate between midnight to 11:00 a.m. or between 6:00 p.m. to midnight on the days permitted.

Stage 2 - currently in effect as of Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Please read the full public service announcement about Stage 2 outdoor water regulations.

Sprinkling is only permitted as follows:

• Even numbered addresses on Saturdays and Tuesdays
• Odd numbered addresses on Sundays and Wednesdays

Automatically controlled sprinkling systems:

• Properties equipped with an automated time clock sprinkler system may only sprinkle between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. on the days permitted.

Manually controlled sprinklers:

• Properties equipped with only manually controlled sprinkling watering systems, including those attached to outside taps, may only operate between midnight to 11:00 a.m. or between 6:00 p.m. to midnight on the days permitted.

Stage 3

Sprinkling is only permitted as follows:

• Even numbered addresses on Saturdays
• Odd numbered addresses on Sundays

Automatically controlled sprinkling systems:

• Properties equipped with an automated time clock sprinkler system may only sprinkle between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on the day permitted.

Manually controlled sprinklers:

• Properties equipped with only manually controlled sprinkling systems, including those attached to outside taps, may only operate between midnight to 11:00 a.m. or between 6:00 p.m. to midnight on the day permitted.

Also prohibited are:

• Filling a swimming pool, hot tub, garden pond, or decorative fountain at any time
• Washing a vehicle, driveway and/or sidewalk.

Stage 4

• No watering is permitted outdoors for any purpose.

Report watering overuse

To report sprinkling/watering violations (e.g. watering outside permitted times), please call Bylaw Compliance and Enforcement at 778-797-8810.

• Summer hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days per week from May long weekend through September.
• Regular business hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, for the remainder of the year.

Water Regulation Bylaw exemptions

New lawns and landscaping

New lawns and landscaping may be watered during installation and for a period of 14 consecutive days immediately following installation.

• However, sprinkling is not permitted between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day, or during a Stage 4 water restriction.

Exempt users

The Outdoor Water Usage Regulations shall not apply to persons who own, operate, or carry on the following operations or activities that rely on the use of water:

• Agricultural
• Fire use protection
• Sports fields
• Cemeteries
• Spray parks
• Washing exterior building surfaces including windows, prior to the application of a product such as paint, preservative, stucco or preparation of a surface prior to paving or repainting of bricks or if required by law, to comply with health and safety regulations.

Other exemptions may apply at the discretion of the Director of Engineering and Operations. Please contact us for more information.

Frequently asked questions

• How often do I need to water a lawn?
  • Most lawn experts recommend a deeper watering over just one or two days per week for a total of about three centimeters, which is about the depth of a tuna can, rather than frequent watering, which creates shallow roots and unhealthier grass.
• What about golf courses?
  • No golf courses use the City of West Kelowna’s water systems.
• What about agricultural properties?
  • Agricultural uses in West Kelowna are exempt from the City’s watering regulations.
• Where can I find the full regulations?
  • Please refer to Water Regulations Bylaw 0274.

Water billing questions

The consumption portion of your water bill is metered. By conserving, you can reduce your quarterly bill. If you have questions about the usage amount on your bill, call Utility Billing at 778-797-8850 or log in or register online.

Water conservation tips

Indoor

• Don't leave water running while brushing teeth, doing dishes, shaving, etc.
• Let water cool after cooking and then use in plants.
• Keep a jug of water in the fridge rather than running the water until cold.
• Install low flow appliances and shower heads.
• Replace worn washers/seals.
• Fix leaky faucets, which can waste up to 90 litres of water per day.
• Repair leaking toilets.
• Check your water meter occasionally to ensure it's not detecting any leaks.

• For tips on how to efficiently water your lawn and garden, visit makewaterwork.ca