For Immediate Release
Stage 3 Water Restriction Take Effect Immediately
The Town of Oliver is requesting that residents immediately reduce their water consumption to ensure that further water restrictions are not necessary, and to ensure that critical infrastructure is protected.
Due to province wide drought conditions and low well levels being experienced for both in Town and the Rural wells, Stage 3 Water Restrictions have been put in place for domestic water. Daily Streamflow for the Okanagan River below McIntyre Dam has been at its lowest level on record since before May, the Tuc-el-nuit Observation Well has been at its lowest level on record since the beginning of May, and Okanagan Lake is now at its lowest level on record since 1943.
The Miller Well in rural Oliver has been shut down to prevent damage to the pump. Two wells within the Town are also approaching critically low water levels and may need to be shut down if levels continue to decline.
The Town is currently operating at peak water demand, with wells running at capacity, prompting the move to Stage 3 Water Restrictions to conserve water.
As a result, the amount of domestic water that can be produced and stored for water emergencies, is affected. The Town of Oliver is requesting compliance to reduce water usage by 50% in the hopes that no further water restrictions will be required.
Properties utilizing canal water for farming practices will not be affected at this time.
All Town of Oliver domestic water customers are currently in Stage 3 water restrictions. Properties that have water flowing through a water meter or are using domestic groundwater for irrigating must restrict their irrigating as follows:
Watering Restrictions - One Day Per Week:
Odd numbered houses – Wednesday
Even numbered houses – Friday
Residents with micro/drip irrigation are permitted one extra day of watering per week between 7:00 pm and 9:00 am as follows:
Watering Restrictions – Additional Day for Micro/Drip
Odd numbered houses – Saturday
Even numbered houses – Tuesday
Residents are encouraged to adjust their residential underground irrigation systems to water lawns, trees and shrubs between 7:00 pm and 9:00 am on their watering day.
Extra hand watering is permitted for personal gardens, trees and shrubs between 7:00 pm and 9:00 am.
The Town of Oliver is taking these restrictions seriously: a 50% Reduction in water usage will be adhered to at Rotary Beach Park, Bridge Park, Centennial Park, Triangle Park, Town Hall, and the Town Entrance Sign Parks; Effluent water is utilized at Fairview Park, Gala Linear Park, Oliver Cemetery, Oliver Airport, Southern Okanagan Secondary School, Oliver Elementary School, and Fairview Mountain Golf Course and as such these locations are not subject to water restrictions as the effluent water needs to be discharged; Canal water is utilized at Community Park, Kinsmen Park, Kiwanis Park, and South Okanagan General Hospital and are not subject to water restrictions. Lion’s Park is irrigated from a separate well and as such is not restricted. Please note Kinsmen Spray Park will be available from 12:00pm to 2:00pm and 4:30pm to 6:30pm starting July 22, 2026.
The Town of Oliver would like to thank you for your cooperation in reducing your water consumption.
For more information on restrictions, watering tips, and drought information visit the following websites:
Town of Oliver - https://www.oliver.ca/water-restrictions
Okanagan Basin Water Board - www.obwb.ca and www.makewaterwork.ca
Inquiries:
Town of Oliver
250 485 6200
