Stage 2 outdoor watering regulations are in effect in West Kelowna

Date of Issue: Monday, April 27, 2026

Stage 2 outdoor watering regulations remain in effect in the City of West Kelowna due to a low snowpack, which has already melted off in most of our watershed, leaving some of West Kelowna’s reservoirs low.

Schedule for Stage 2 water regulations:

• Even-numbered addresses water on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
• Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Sundays.
• Automatic sprinkler systems may only operate between midnight and 6 a.m. on permitted days.
• Manual sprinkler systems attached to taps may only operate between midnight and 11 a.m. OR from 6 p.m. to midnight on permitted days.
• Sprinkling is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day.
• Hand watering of landscape plants and vegetable gardens, but not lawns, is permitted, as needed, on any day.

Staff will continue to monitor the situation and adjust watershed infrastructure such as diversion channels, dams and headgates to balance reservoir levels as much as possible. If precipitation stays low and use remains high, Stage 3, which allows outdoor watering once per week, may be required.

Lowering outdoor water use now will help conserve and provide for higher priority needs in the future.

Why this matters

Water must be prioritized for indoor needs, food/farming, fish and firefighting. If drought persists, and demand remains high, stricter measures may be required:

• Stage 3: Watering is allowed once per week and filling pools, hot tubs, fountains and ponds, and washing vehicles, sidewalks, and driveways is prohibited.
• Stage 4: All outdoor watering is prohibited to prioritize firefighting and essential indoor needs.

Lawns are often overwatered:

• Lawns only need to be watered once or twice per week for a total of three centimetres, or about a tuna can’s depth, to promote healthier root growth.
• Leaving grass longer, at about six centimetres, helps shade out some weeds, promotes better soil and root health, and assists in water retention.

Water is metered. If you use less, the consumption portion of your quarterly utility bill will be lower.

Learn more

• For full details on water regulations, visit westkelownacity.ca/wateringregulations.
• Visit makewaterwork.ca for conservation tips, which include leaving grass longer when mowing and planting xeriscape and FireSmart plants more suited to our arid climate.