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By Judie Steeves
S
ome farmers in one irrigation
district in the Okanagan had their
they exceeded their allotment.
water shut off this year because
District’s main reservoir, McCulloch
South East Kelowna Irrigation
Lake, didn’t fill this spring, and users
began to draw it down earlier than
usual because of record dry June
weather.
meters, including the irrigation
Water users in the district are all on
connections and the district metes out
JUDIE STEEVES
water on an allotment, based on the
Kirpal Boparai was among growers in South East Kelowna who had his
parcel size, crop and soil type.
water shut off by irrigation district.
warned farmers that supplies were low
This year, early on, the SEKID board importance of water conservation. September.
so, to conserve water to get through
They helped farmers learn what
the growing season, each allotment
amount of water their plants need and
would be reduced by 20 per cent.
when they need it.
to lose their orchards, by August some
Although SEKID didn’t want anyone
growers had already used up their
being in 2001, and in 2003 a metered
The allotment system came into drought year.
The alloted amount is adequate for a allotment so their irrigation was shut
off, said Pike.
rate was instituted and penalties added
for users who exceeded their
winter, many reservoirs didn’t fill this
However, with a low snow pack last
allotment. That included the ultimate
spring, including Okanagan Lake,
board to talk about why they were over
Those growers appeared before the
penalty of having their water cut off.
which was a metre below full pool by
and what they would do different if
their water was turned back on.
Everyone gets their fair share.
“It’s a community water system.
Otherwise they’re taking someone
else’s water,” explained manager Toby
Pike.
Reserve, prices for water are
“Because of the Agricultural Land
reasonable, but no one has a right to
abuse the system,” he commented.
restrictions if they know it’s fair.”
“People are less resistant to
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British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Winter 2009-10
15
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