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Water

HELSTON: What you can learn from a near tragedy on Okanagan Lake

Warnings to stay safe on the water have become to summer what drunk driving campaigns are to Christmas and telephone scam alerts are to grandparents. They’re good and important messages, but ones that tend to lose their kick over time like an old wind-up toy. Organizations work hard to find new ways of connecting these...

Extreme drought results in fishing bans for Nicola rivers

SALMON RUN AT RISK THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - An extreme drought rating has been issued for the Nicola region, resulting in fishing restrictions and a request for residents to conserve water. Staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources say extreme dry conditions and warming water temperatures calls for a fishing suspension on the Nicola...

Mixed views on proposed Shuswap River boating restrictions

VERNON - There’s been plenty of interest in proposed boating regulations on the Shuswap River, though it's still to early to tell which side of the debate the majority lands on. The North Okanagan Regional District has so far received 1,065 electronic surveys, plus 118 paper copies submitted in response to the proposed changes, which...

Water board wants more control over what people do in watersheds

OKANAGAN - In an effort to put a stop to mud-bogging and pit toilets near reservoirs, the local water board is supporting a call for greater control over source watersheds. “The board wants our members to have more control and the province to give more support to water utilities to protect the quality of their...

No fishing in several South Okanagan rivers and streams this summer

PENTICTON – Fans of fishing across the province will be disappointed to learn that as of July 15 they will no longer be permitted to fish many rivers and streams in the South Okanagan this summer due to low flows and warming water temperatures. For the rest of the summer all streams and rivers in...

Heat wave could force water restrictions in Summerland

SUMMERLAND – If the heat wave resumes the Summerland Treatment Plant could be forced to issue measures to reduce water use in the area. Due to increased demands the Summerland Water Treatment Plant has been operating at maximum capacity the last week, according to a media release issued today, June 29. If the demand rises...

Low snowpack could mean a dry Okanagan summer

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Current snowpack levels suggest the Okanagan could be in for a dry year, while the South Thompson should fair better. According to Tobi Gardner with the River Forecast Centre, snowpack is at 76 per cent of normal in the Okanagan — the lowest in five years. “What that translates to is a lower...

Aging waterworks the target of proposed rate increase

KELOWNA - About half of Kelowna can expect a minor water rate increase sometime soon if Kelowna city council agrees to a recommendation by staff. John Vos, the city’s director of corporate business ventures, is recommending a two percent increase for those homes and businesses serviced by the city water utility. The rest of Kelowna...

Why this Okanagan woman took not one, but 12 polar bear dips

OKANAGAN - If you thought this week’s Polar Bear Swim participants were nuts, you won’t believe what this Okanagan mom has been doing for the past three months. Along with her sister and 14-year-old daughter, Kelowna resident Mix Hart has been taking a dip in Okanagan Lake once a week for the past 12 weeks....

Killiney Beach water interruption notice

KILLINEY BEACH - Some customers of the Killiney Beach Water System should plan to be without water service on Monday morning. Water will be shut off for approximately 75 homes below Westside Road while the Regional District repairs a leak in a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) at Westside Road and Kildare Way. The work is...

Water board has money to give away

KELOWNA – There is another $300,000 up for grabs for those who need money to fund a project to save water or improve its quality in the Okanagan in 2015. The Okanagan Basin Water Board is back with its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement grant program. It’s the ninth year for the program. The cash...

Boil water advisory for residents on Southeast Kelowna Irrigation District

KELOWNA – Kelowna residents under the Southeast Kelowna Irrigation District must boil their water before drinking until further notice. According to a release today, the main power to the facility was disconnected earlier today for routine line maintenance. A backup generator used to power the chlorination system then failed and stopped the supply of chlorine...

Local governments team up to save water this summer

OKANAGAN - Okanagan mayors are challenging residents to conserve water this summer as part of the Okanagan WaterWise program. The program is an effort by the Okanagan Basin Water Board, local government and utility partners to encourage outdoor water conservation during the hot and dry summer months. Several mayors and councillors throughout the valley took...

HAZMAT called to contain chlorine leak

KELOWNA - The HAZMAT team was called to the Rutland Water Works pump Friday morning for a reported chlorine leak though evacuation of the area was not required. The Kelowna Fire Department received the call at 10:29 a.m. and when the team arrived they discovered a regulator malfunction on a 150 pound bottle of chlorine...