their water was turned back on, and
If they agreed to use it sparingly, Regional District who get their water metering will be complete, then
penalties assessed for the overuse.
from Greater Vernon Water are in that
g
conduct mock billing the next year to
h
total allotment for the year in one week
However, one used 12 per cent of his are at the first stage of a similar
roup, relying on upland storage. They
allocations and billing based on
elp educate users, and begin
after having the water turned back on.
program to that used by SEKID to amount used, the year after that, he
“It was frustrating,” commented Pike.
allocate water fairly. said.
“That’s just watering the aquifer.” per cent of growers are metered now,
Manager Al Cotsworth says about 75
about the importance of
Despite efforts to educate users
only 42 went over their allotment.
However, of 398 growers in SEKID, and the rest are being installed. All conservation, he says, “We always
M
other residents are on meters and are find people who don’t understand
K
ost used less than their budget. being billed for the water they use. h
growers whose water was shut off
irpal Boparai was one of the particularly new property owners.”
ow water allocation works,
because he exceeded his allotment.
Cotsworth.
“It was a trying year,” admits
reservoirs don’t fill again next year.
He admitted it will be concerning if
eight of cherries and has been growing
He grows 30 acres of apples and Haddo did not fill in the spring from
Reservoirs Aberdeen, Grizzly and
in that area for the past 13 years.
what was a higher-than-normal
snowpack so domestic users were put
supplies in the mainstem valley
Some utilities rely on water
lakes, such as Okanagan, Skaha and
sandy soil in East Kelowna.
He explained that there’s a lot of on stage-two restrictions, watering
outside only twice a week. Agricultural
Osoyoos, but they, too, fill only when
there’s a normal amount of snow
know if farmers can take another year
“It was terrible last year and I don’t users were asked to cut back if falling over winter at high elevations
like that. Drought is a real issue,” he
possible. around the valley.
commented.
Only in 2007 and 2003 were the
“It was the third lowest year ever.
mainstem lakes is controlled, but this
Release of water from the
limiting the water provided for golf
It’s important we prioritize, by
reservoirs at lower levels,” Cotsworth
courses in favour of properties where
reported.
year only the minimum required for
conservation of aquatic species and
the water is used to grow food.
the reservoirs were still low, with just
However, by the end of the season, ecosystems was released, yet
diverted for new housing and golf
“Before we allow water to be
3,780 cubic feet of water in reservoirs
Okanagan Lake still didn’t fill.
courses we need to provide water for
with a capacity of 14,900 acre feet. chairman of the Okanagan Basin
Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells is
agriculture; water to grow food,” he
said.
or better in terms of snowfall, we will
“If this winter is not an average one Water Board and admitted, ìWe’re in
begin next year with stage-two water
dire straits if we have a similar
trees to go into winter with adequate
Luckily, rain in October allowed the
restrictions,” he said.
winter this year, to last year.”
moisture, but with his water turned
off, Boparai might otherwise have had
allocation system for agriculture users
He’s confident that moving to an series of wells, which mostly draw
Farmers rely on supplies from a
damage without being able to water
will conserve water, perhaps by as
from the lake, in the Osoyoos area,
them in at the end of the fall, he said.
much as half what is currently used.
he said. There are no restrictions on
use.
grower who had his water shut off. He
Karmjit Gill is another East Kelowna
each farm is using next year, when the
The plan is to begin to measure what
grows apples on 140 acres, some of
which he owns and some he leases.
About 90 acres of that is in SEKID.
For All Your Fencing Requirements
just being completed.
A water master plan for that area is
Nicola and Ambrosia, Gill says he has
With high density plantings of Gala,
a lot invested to lose it because of
water problems.
pay whatever they want, but now I’m
“Water is a big issue for us. I would
really concerned about next year,” he
commented.
they need more water than in some
Because the soils are rocky, he said
other areas, and he said he can’t grow
good fruit without adequate water.
a71DEER FENCES a71TRELLIS POST POUNDING
a71SPLIT
have the land back,” he added,
“Otherwise, the government can
referring to the agricultural land
freeze. W
CEDAR RAIL a71RANCH-STYLE POLE GATES
a71AUTOMATIC GATE OPENERS
valley rely on storage of snowmelt in
Many irrigation providers in the
upland reservoirs for use during the
Call ... FRAZER
e’ll Keep You Posted!
hot, dry summers.
Phone: (250) 542-6082
BLACKMORE
Growers in the North Okanagan
9050 Kalamalka Road, Vernon, BC V1B 3C3
Fax: (250) 542-0851
16
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Winter 2009-10
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