Extreme drought level, major watering restrictions likely weeks away: City of Kamloops

KAMLOOPS — Civic officials say the City of Kamloops will likely increase to a Drought Level 5 in the coming weeks.

Speaking to council Tuesday (July 25), Utility Services Manager Greg Wightman said the hot, dry weather has led to extreme conditions.

As a result, Wightman says the city’s operations have tried to reduce their water use.

“We have taken steps to reduce overall city irrigation by 25 per cent,” said Wightman. “Our parks operations team has worked very, very hard to get that done. Obviously, there are a ton of irrigation systems that we operate on fields around the city, so they’ve had a lot of work to do there.”

Wightman notes the purpose of restricting water use is to ensure the city’s reservoirs can support emergency fire suppression efforts, if they are needed. He says the city is now at a Drought Level 4. If it gets to Level 5, the city will enact emergency restrictions.

“At Stage 1, the emergency restrictions would be outdoor irrigating through handheld, spring-loaded nozzles only,” he added. “It should result in a reduction of overall water use while still allowing people to keep their gardens alive.”

For more on water conservation, check this link.