water conservation
Water Conservation is a vital component of climate resiliency. The 2023 Wildfire Season highlighted the importance on water conservation practices within our own community to keep drought conditions at bay. Armstrong’s Council Strategic Plan has Environmental Stewardship as a key Council priority which demonstrates Armstrong’s commitment to ensuring that things like Water Conservation remain a focus for our community to ensure we work together towards keeping our community safe.
The *NEW* Water Use and Conservation Bylaw No. 1926, 2024 was adopted July 15, 2024.
As part of this commitment Armstrong updated it’s Water Use and Conservation Bylaw, increasing incentives for water conservation year-round for residential customers. This supports the Council’s goal of promoting water conservation to mitigate climate change impacts.
The City of Armstrong empowers the community to work together to conserve water through a variety of measures including year-round water conservation restrictions, as well as its community-wide participation in the Okanagan Basin Water Boards’ Make Water Work campaign. As a result of the committed efforts towards water reduction within our community, the City of Armstrong has won the Make Water Work Community Championship for six consecutive years.
Visit the provincial Drought Information Portal to check to see drought levels in Armstrong.
The *New* Water Restrictions came into effect July 15, 2024.
To view and download the Water Restrictions, click the link below:
Current Restriction:
STAGE 1 – Effective October 25, 2024
Water use exemption permit
A Water Use Exemption Permit is a temporary waiver from the City that allows a resident or business to irrigate outside of the restrictions that have been established by the City. These permits are issued to enable additional watering for newly planted lawns or plants, so that they can get established in those first critical days and weeks after planting.
Make Water Work
The City of Armstrong is a passionate participant in the Make Water Work campaign. We have been crowned the Make Water Work Champion for the last six years.
The Okanagan is on the front lines of climate change, shifting between flooding and drought, and extreme fire seasons. As we work to find solutions to these climate events, Make Water Work is aimed at preparing residents with resilient landscapes that can handle wet and dry years, and help ensure a sustainable water supply for our valley.
Did you know?
– There is LESS water available per person in the Okanagan than anywhere else in Canada.
– The Okanagan has one of the highest rates of water use per person in Canada.
– 24% of ALL water used in the Okanagan is used on our household lawns and gardens.
Explore the helpful resources from Make Water Work:
Water Conservation Tips
Never mow low. Let it grow!
Leave grass 2-3 inches tall (5-8cm). Water stays longer when grass is longer. Leaving your grass longer slows evaporation from the soil, making it work more effectively!
Leave grass clippings as mulch.
Leaving grass clippings on your lawn helps feed the lawn and keep moisture, requiring less water and reducing evaporation.
Put it on the night shift. Water between dusk and dawn
Putting water to work during the coolest part of the day prevents evaporation. A good rule of thumb is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Check with your water utility for specific watering restrictions in your area.
Okay, but how am I supposed to water my lawn while I’m asleep?
Get a timer! Did you know that only 12% of stand-alone sprinklers in Canada are used with a timer? Let’s change that stat together. Most hardware stores supply timers for sprinklers. Sleep like a baby while your water works the night shift.
It’s ok to be a drip! Install a drip irrigation system
Save water on your shrubs, trees and gardens with drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is much more efficient; 90% of water reaches the plant. It is also energy efficient because it works on low water pressure.
Collect and use rainwater. It’s free!
Rain barrels collect fresh, naturally soft and chemical-free water that is great for container plants, flower beds, and food gardens
Find other rainwater catchment ideas in our Slow it. Spread it. Sink it! Guide for Okanagan Residents.
One inch a week will do.
Most lawns need just 2.5cm (one inch) of water per week—about the depth of a tuna can.
Watering deeply and less often promotes deep, healthy root growth. If you’re watering deeply but not seeing results, the problem may be inadequate topsoil. Try top dressing with half an inch of compost, then over-seeding for a thick and vigorous lawn.
Tune up your irrigation.
Water works better when paired with a properly running irrigation system. Fix leaks and broken or clogged sprinkler heads. Reduce run times when weather is cooler. Don’t know how? Go with a certified irrigation pro!
Install water-saving irrigation products.
Save money on your water bill by using high efficiency irrigation, like drip or microjet, for shrubs and gardens.
Aerate your lawn and top dress with compost.
Aerating the lawn in early spring or fall improves water penetration. Water also works best with organic products like compost, which minimize over-fertilizing and help prevent storm water pollution.
Don’t spray and pray.
Don’t let water waste your time, effort and money! It should sprinkle your lawn or garden, not pavement.
Pair water with plants suitable for our dry climate.
Okanagan water works best with plants suitable for our dry climate: drought-tolerant turf, native and low-water
Tips to help you conserve water
Xeriscape Gardening
