Sicamous is under its first stage of water restrictions, limiting the times when residents can water their lawns.
The district’s Stage 1 of water restrictions go into effect from May 1 to September 30. Sprinklers and irrigation systems are allowed to run at odd-numbered civic addresses on odd days and at even-numbered addresses on even days. There is no time restriction for watering under this schedule.
Manual watering is allowed at any time, on any day for all addresses under Stage 1.
Sicamous adopted an amendment to the Water Regulations, Rental and Connection Charge Bylaw in July 2022 to introduce multiple stages to the watering restriction system.
District operations manager Darrell Symbaluk said at the time the existing restrictions weren’t enough to prevent water usage exceeding the rate it could be processed through the water treatment facility.
Stage 2 allows automatic and manual watering at even-numbered addressed on Mondays and Thursdays and odd-numbered addresses on Tuesdays and Fridays with no time restriction.
Stage 3 prohibits automated watering but allows manual watering on the same days for the same addresses as Stage 2.
Stage 4 prohibits all water use outdoors unless it is for health to safety reasons.
The new restrictions were put in place following the wildfires and extreme heat of 2021, which Symbaluk said caused concern and a “struggle to make water.”
READ MORE: Options for ramping up watering restrictions proposed for Sicamous
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