Water Restrictions

This year, due to drought conditions, the City is heading straight into Stage 2 water restrictions as of May 1, 2026. 

Stage 2 represents conditions of prolonged periods of no rain and hot, dry weather with below normal snowpack. Total water usage must be reduced by 20%. 

Odd numbered street addresses may irrigate on Tuesday and Saturday only. Even numbered street addresses may irrigate on Wednesday and Sunday only. 

Automatic irrigation systems can be programmed to run between 12:01am - 6am on designated days. Manual irrigation may occur between 6am - 10am and 6pm - 10pm on designated days. 

Agricultural customers must reduce their water use by 20%.

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Stage 3 represents extreme drought conditions, where water supplies are at a critical shortage level. Total water usage must be reduced by 50%. 

Odd numbered street addresses may irrigate on Saturday only. Even numbered street addresses may irrigate on Sunday only. 

Automatic irrigation systems can be programmed to run between 12:01am - 6am on designated days. Manual irrigation may occur between 6am - 10am and 6pm - 10pm on designated days. 

Agricultural customers must reduce their water use by 50%.

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Stage 4 represents emergency drought conditions, where fire protection services could be compromised. Total water usage must be reduced by 90%. 

Outdoor water use is prohibited. 

Agricultural customers must reduce their water use by 90%.

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Penticton is typically in Stage 1 Normal water restrictions from May 1 - August 31 every year in response to increased outdoor water use and warmer, drier spring and summer months. 

• Odd numbered street addresses may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only.
• Even numbered street addresses may irrigate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only. 
• No watering on Mondays.
• Townhouses and condominiums follow their street address, not their unit address.
• Only properties zoned RSM (Mobile Home Park) use their respective unit number in place of street address. 

Irrigation times are as follows:

• Automatic irrigation/sprinklers can be programmed to run between 12:01 a.m. - 6 a.m. on designated days.
• Manual irrigation is permitted to run between 6-10 a.m. and 6-10 p.m. only on designated days. 

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A person who has just placed new sod or planted a newly seeded lawn may apply to the Designated Officer to water outside of the water use restrictions. The Designated Officer will consider the request and may give permission for the applicant to water outside of the use restrictions.  

Please contact the Water Treatment Plant to request this. 

Water Treatment Plant
Phone: 250-490-2500
Email: publicworks@penticton.ca 

Any hand-watering (gardens, cars, etc.) is allowed on any day at any time. Stage 1-3 water restrictions do not apply to hand-watering.

It is recommended that water conservation is still practised and watering is avoided during the heat of the day. 

Hand-held watering for your vegetable garden can be used anytime. 

Water restrictions do not apply to this unless Stage 4 is in effect. However, it is recommended during Stage 2 and 3, that you restrict your water-use as much as possible in your vegetable gardens. 

Properties zoned RSM - Mobile Home Park may use their respective unit number in place of the street address to determine odd/ even watering schedule. 

Phone: 250-490-2500
Email: publicworks@penticton.ca 

Irrigation and Water Bylaw

Automatic irrigation involves the operation of the system with no or just minimal manual intervention. This system is automated with the use of timers, sensors, or computers. The most common type of automatic irrigation is in-ground systems. 

Manual Irrigation includes the operation of the system with manual intervention and supervision. This includes stationary sprinklers that water only their surrounding area. Common manual irrigation systems include oscillating sprinklers (image below) and rotary sprinklers. These sprinklers are connected to a hose and require manual shut-off. 

Hand watering includes the application of water while holding a hand-held watering device such as a hose, watering can, or bucket. A person must be physically holding the hose or container. 

The Province of B.C. drought levels are independent of the drought stages used by the City of Penticton. The levels provide guidance to the City on the general water supply conditions within the region, but do not directly correlate to system operations, water restrictions, or reservoir management.

The Drought Information Portal provides information on provincial drought levels and historical drought time-lapse information in an easy-to-use format. Interactive drought maps of B.C. and stream watch maps of the Thompson Okanagan provide useful information to B.C. residents. 

Click here to visit the Drought Information Portal.