Changes to restrictions are largely in response to the feedback received during the drought response restrictions put in place in 2023. They are part of the City’s ongoing efforts towards water stewardship and sustainability.

The new restrictions come into effect April 10, 2024 and remain in effect year-round.

Your watering day is assigned based on the last 2 digits of your street address. Please note that for multi-family and similar type complexes where there is also internal addressing, the address that determines your watering days is the street address meaning everyone on the complex will have the same watering day. E.g. If your address is Unit 15–1786 Watering Avenue, you would use “86” to determine your irrigation day(s).

Your watering day is assigned based on the last 2 digits of your street address. Everyone in the strata complex will have the same watering day. E.g. If your address is Unit 15–1786 Watering Avenue or Unit 54 – 1786 Watering Avenue then you would use “86” to determine your irrigation day(s).

Changes in water use restriction stages will be announced on the City’s website and come into effect 24 hours after posting.

Water Use Restrictions will follow the Province’s drought level classification; however, the ultimate authority for the restrictions in Kamloops lies with the City of Kamloops Utility Services Manager as per the City’s Water Bylaw.

While we encourage all members of the community to participate in the water conservation efforts, the Water Use Restrictions published by the City of Kamloops apply only to those customers connected to the City’s potable water system. Check with your water provider for any restrictions they have.

Drip irrigation is a controlled watering system that allows low pressure water to drip slowly to the roots of a plant, flower, or tree. Drip watering can either come from above or below the surface of the soil. 

Conversely, if you see water in the air, it constitutes a spray head and is subject to the normal irrigation restrictions. 

Drip irrigation can often save more water than standard sprinkling and is most effective when run in the late evening or early morning to minimize evaporation. 

It’s important to remember that not all drip systems are created equal. Each system will require different run times and frequency requirements. Homeowners are encouraged to speak with an irrigation or landscape expert to find the run time and frequency suited to their specific drip system and plants. 

A common sign that a drip system is running for too long or too frequently is a visible pool of water forming on the surface of the irrigated area.

All outdoor water use must comply with the current restrictions and this would include sprinkler play.

The City of Kamloops will make efforts to seek compliance through education. However, if a violation of the sprinkling regulations is observed on your property, you are subject to the penalties outlined in the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 43-15.

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.

This primary reason for applying for an exemption would be 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.

Apply for a Water Use Exemption Permit

For assistance by phone, please call 250-828-3461.

Most applications will be processed in 5 business days or less.

Standard permits will be issued for 21 days.

Apply for a Water Use Exemption Permit

For assistance by phone, please call 250-828-3461.

• Keep a jug of cool water in the fridge instead of running the tap.
• Avoid pouring water down the drain—use it to water plants or fill your pet's dish.
• Install low-flow fixtures in your house, including shower heads, toilets, and taps.
• Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when it is full and be sure to select the shortest run cycle.
• If washing dishes by hand, fill the sink rather than let the water run freely.
• Keep showers to five minutes or less.
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily—tissues, wipes, and hygiene products belong in the wastebin.
• Repairing a leaky toilet can save 100 L per day.

Lawn

• Lawns only need about 2.5 cm (1 in.) of water per week.
• Cut your grass to 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 in.) tall to provide shade for roots and to help prevent evaporation.
• Grasscycle by leaving the clippings on the lawn. This will help with water retention and provide your lawn with nutrients.

Irrigation

• Check for leaks in pipes, faucets, and hoses.
• Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended.
• Follow the water restrictions outlined in Waterworks Bylaw No. 12-31.
• Consider installing irrigation devices such as micro and drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and sprinklers with timing devices.
• Always use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle when watering plants or washing your car.
• Ensure that sprinklers are watering vegetation, not driveways and sidewalks.
• Consider utilizing 'smart' technology, climate or soil-based controllers that evaluate weather or soil moisture conditions and then adjust the irrigation schedule to meet the specific needs of your landscape.
• Install a rain shutoff switch–these inexpensive devices can be retrofitted to almost any system and will prevent your system from turning on while it's raining.

Garden

• Minimize lawn area by using ground covers other than grass.
• Select drought-tolerant flora and group according to their water needs.
• Use mulch to retain moisture and reduce weed growth.
• Use rain barrels to collect rainwater for outdoor plant use.

The City will take steps to reduce water use wherever possible during drought conditions, while still providing the services our community relies upon (for example, halting fire hydrant maintenance which requires water to be flowed to gain pressure testing results).

The City of Kamloops strives to manage its irrigation systems in the most efficient manner to ensure the protection of public assets while optimizing water use. With over 200 irrigation systems city-wide, the City cannot meet the specific requirements of the Water Use Restriction Plan. 

The City’s irrigation systems are not currently designed to water specific components of the areas they irrigate. As a result, the City has developed a Phased Irrigation Reduction Plan to strategically reduce overall water use, while maintaining crucial public assets such as trees and playing fields.

Wherever possible, City property is watered according to the restrictions, however, many parks and playing fields are too large to be irrigated within the regulated sprinkling times. 

Kamloops' larger parks are controlled by a computerized irrigation system that reads weather conditions, calculates evapotranspiration rates, and irrigates when soil moisture indicates the need, rather than by a pre-set schedule. It is estimated that this system has resulted in savings of 30%. 

During drought conditions, anytime drought level 4 or higher is reached, the City will take action to reduce our overall irrigation by 25%. 

NOTE: Sometimes sprinkler heads can become misaligned, broken, or the clocks that control irrigation times can short-out, causing sprinklers to come on when they shouldn't. Please report any problems with City irrigation to the Civic Operations Department at 250-828-3461 or use the MyKamloops app.

The City of Kamloops works closely with School District 73 and Thompson Rivers University to ensure their irrigation systems are managed in a manner that produces the desired overall water use reduction targets during drought conditions. Much like the City’s irrigation systems, often the larger school sites cannot comply with the Water User Restriction Plan.