Water Restrictions

Stage 2 water restrictions are now in effect in Penticton due to drought conditions across the South Okanagan. 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 Midnight - 6am on designated days.
Manual irrigation (sprinklers) may occur between 6-10am and 6-10pm on designated days.
Agricultural customers must reduce their water use by 20%.

Hand watering by a handheld hose, watering can or bucket is permitted at any time, provided the water flow is attended and manually controlled.

Water Restriction Stages

Water conservation measures are an important step to ensure we can keep up with our community's demand for clean drinking water as well as requirements for irrigation and commercial use. In Penticton, seasonal water restrictions run every year from May 1 to August  31.

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 (sprinklers) may occur between 6am - 10am and 6pm - 10pm on designated days.
Agricultural customers must reduce their water use by 20%.
Hand watering by a handheld hose, watering can or bucket is permitted at any time, provided the water flow is attended and manually controlled.

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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%.
Under Stage 3, watering is only allowed one day a week and irrigation for City parks and agriculture are to be reduced by 50%. Many City parks and sports fields irrigated with reclaimed water may continue to receive irrigation because they do not use treated drinking water.
Recreation water use would be restricted (for example, hot tubs, pools, and ponds). Residents should avoid draining and refilling pools and hot tubs, minimize any water required for maintenance, and postpone any discretionary water use associated with recreational water features. Further details and any exemptions will be communicated if Stage 3 is declared.
Watering Days
Odd-numbered addresses
•    Tuesday only
Even-numbered addresses
•    Wednesday only
Watering Times
Automatic irrigation
•    Midnight to 6 a.m. on designated days
Manual irrigation
•    6-10 a.m. or 6-10 p.m. on designated days
Agriculture
Agricultural customers must reduce water use by 50%.

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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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Water Restrictions Q&A

The South Okanagan entered the season under drought conditions due to:
- Below-average snowpack.
- Low Okanagan Lake levels.
- Low watershed reservoir levels.
- Below-average precipitation and spring recharge.
Stage 2 restrictions are intended to reduce overall water use by 20% and help ensure water is available through the summer.
Many of the parks, sports fields and landscaped areas residents see being watered are irrigated with reclaimed water, rather than drinking water. This is treated effluent from the wastewater treatment plant that is tested daily before leaving the facility.
When residents see green parks during drought conditions, much of that irrigation is being done with reclaimed water, not drinking water.
In fact, approximately 560 million litres of reclaimed water was used to irrigate City-owned parks, sports fields, school district fields and the Penticton Golf and Country Club in 2025.

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Several regional indicators are concerning:
- Okanagan Lake received only about one-third of its normal spring recharge.
- Okanagan Lake is at its lowest July 1 level since 1992.
- Nearly half of B.C.'s groundwater monitoring wells are reporting record low levels for this time of year.
- The Okanagan has received less than half its normal precipitation this year with Penticton and surrounding area being the hardest hit at less than 30% of normal.
Every litre conserved now helps protect water supplies for homes, agriculture, fisheries and the environment.
If Penticton does not achieve the 20 per cent reduction target and drought conditions continue, the City may need to move to Stage 3 restrictions, which would restrict watering to one day per week, in addition to other restrictions.
The City of Penticton's Irrigation, Sewer and Water Bylaw includes escalating fines for violations of drought-stage watering restrictions. The fine increases as drought conditions become more severe.
The City's goal is voluntary compliance through education. Enforcement is used when necessary to protect community water supplies and ensure restrictions are applied fairly.
Stage 2
•    First offence: $50
•    Second offence: $100
•    Continuing violation: up to $500 per day
Stage 3
•    First offence: $100
•    Second offence: $200
•    Continuing violation: up to $500 per day
Stage 4
•    First offence: $200
•    Second offence: $400
•    Continuing violation: up to $500 per day
In addition to fines, the City may increase monitoring and enforcement during higher drought stages. Residents and businesses are encouraged to follow watering schedules and conservation measures to help protect community water supplies and avoid further restrictions.
Report a bylaw offence by emailing bylaw@penticton.ca.
Irrigation and Water Bylaw
Residents can help by:
- Fixing leaky faucets and irrigation systems.
- Adjusting irrigation timers.
- Avoiding overwatering.
- Using drought-tolerant landscaping.
- Watering lawns only as needed.
- Following all watering restrictions.
Read more conservation tips on our Water Conservation page.
Stage 3 is implemented when water supplies reach a critical shortage level and requires an overall 50% reduction in water use.
Under Stage 3, watering is only allowed one day a week and irrigation for City parks and agriculture are to be reduced by 50%. Many City parks and sports fields irrigated with reclaimed water may continue to receive irrigation because they do not use treated drinking water.
Recreation water use would be restricted (for example, hot tubs, pools, and ponds). Residents should avoid draining and refilling pools and hot tubs, minimize any water required for maintenance, and postpone any discretionary water use associated with recreational water features. Further details and any exemptions will be communicated if Stage 3 is declared.
Watering Days
Odd-numbered addresses
•    Tuesday only
Even-numbered addresses
•    Wednesday only
Watering Times
Automatic irrigation
•    Midnight to 6 a.m. on designated days
Manual irrigation
•    6-10 a.m. or 6-10 p.m. on designated days
Agriculture
Agricultural customers must reduce water use by 50%.
Stage 4 is the most severe level of water restrictions and is implemented during emergency drought conditions when water supplies are critically limited and essential community needs must be protected.
Under Stage 4:
•    All lawn watering is prohibited.
•    Outdoor water use is prohibited.
•    Water use should be limited to essential indoor uses such as drinking, cooking, sanitation and basic household needs.
•    Agricultural customers are required to reduce water use by 90 per cent.
•    Outdoor water use includes lawn irrigation, sprinkler watering, ornamental water features, and other non-essential outdoor uses.
Stage 4 is intended to protect the community's remaining water supply, maintain public health and safety, and preserve critical services, including fire protection. Residents and businesses would be expected to stop all non-essential outdoor water use until restrictions are lifted.
Note: If Stage 4 is declared, the City will provide detailed information about any exemptions, enforcement measures and specific restrictions that apply.

Restriction Exceptions

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