Greater Vernon meets 50% water-use reduction amid historic drought

Greater Vernon water reduction drought 50% target Kalamalka Lake

The Greater Vernon area in British Columbia's North Okanagan reported that its water utility has achieved a 50% reduction in overall water use during a severe, record‑dry drought. General manager Zee Marcolin said the target was met thanks to cuts across domestic, industrial and agricultural users. Agricultural users saw a 70% cut in their allocation to avoid triggering Stage 4 water restrictions, while domestic consumers are subject to Stage 3 limits that prohibit lawn watering, pool filling and car washing. The achieved reduction provides the utility with limited flexibility to consider additional water supplies for agriculture, and letters have been sent to farmers who have not used their full allocation encouraging them to share with others. Kalamalka Lake levels are reported as very low, falling below historic ranges. The update was delivered at a special meeting of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee on July 29.

Entities: Greater Vernon Advisory Committee · Greater Vernon Water · Kalamalka Lake · Regional District of North Okanagan · Zee Marcolin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 4 SOURCES] Zee Marcolin is the general manager of utilities for the Regional District of North Okanagan. (article text)
[● 4 SOURCES] Greater Vernon Water met its 50% overall system water-use reduction target. (Zee Marcolin, general manager of utilities for the Regional District of North Okanagan)
[● 4 SOURCES] Kalamalka Lake water levels are very low and have fallen below historic ranges. (Zee Marcolin)
[● 4 SOURCES] The water-use reduction update was presented at a special meeting of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee on July 29. (Zee Marcolin)
[● 4 SOURCES] The achieved reduction gives Greater Vernon Water limited flexibility to possibly provide more water to agricultural users. (Zee Marcolin)
[● 4 SOURCES] Agricultural water users had their allocation cut by 70% to avoid Stage 4 water restrictions. (Zee Marcolin)
[● 4 SOURCES] Domestic users are under Stage 3 restrictions limiting lawn watering, pool filling, and car washing. (Zee Marcolin)
[● 4 SOURCES] Letters have been sent to farmers who have not used all of their allocation encouraging sharing with other farmers. (Zee Marcolin)