Water

Water quality is strictly regulated through Interior Health Authority and the District of Lake Country takes the provision of drinking water to the community very seriously. 

 

Please check the water source map to confirm which source your property is on: lakecountry.bc.ca/MyWatermap 

Click on your property to view the pop-up dialogue box which will list the water source and link to any Advisory or Notice information. 

Beaver Lake

• Beaver Lake Water Quality Advisory In Effect 
• Attention water customers on the Beaver Lake source:
  
  • For most of the year, your water is on the Okanagan Lake source.
  • During the high use agricultural irrigation period (last week of April - September), the water source reverts to the Beaver Lake source. This water source is on a Water Quality Advisory. 
  • Please note, the GIS map will always show the water source as Beaver Lake.

Kalamalka Lake

• No water quality advisory in effect.

Oyama Lake

• Oyama Lake Water Quality Advisory In Effect 
• Attention water customers on the east bench of Oyama: 
  
  • For the majority of the year, your water is on the Kalamalka Lake source.
  • During the high use agricultural irrigation period (last week of April - September), the water source reverts back to the Oyama Lake source. This water source is on a Water Quality Advisory. 
  • Please note, the GIS map will always show the water source as Oyama Lake.

Okanagan Lake 

• No water quality advisory in effect. 

Coral Beach System

• No water quality advisory in effect. 

Interior Health Drinking Water Advisory map
Use this map to search the entire Interior Health region for current drinking water advisories. You can also learn more about your water suppliers, types of advisories and the reasons for these advisories.

Normal Conditions

• Manual watering in mornings or evenings and not during the mid-day heat or when it is windy.
• Watering with a watering can or by hand whenever possible.
• Keep grass longer and leave clippings on the lawn.
• Remember to turn off your automated irrigation system during rainy periods. Don't set it and forget it!
• Don't water gravel or pavement

Stage 1 

• 90-80% of Average Conditions. 
• Properties may irrigate lawns, trees, flowers and shrubs up to three days a week
• Automated systems should operate between 12am and 6am
• Filling pools, hot tubs and daily watering of household gardens for food is still permitted

Agricultural:

• No recommended changes to agricultural allotments but monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance of the allotments will occur.

Stage 2 

• 80-45% of Average Conditions. Residential and commercial irrigation is permitted once or twice a week as determined by the Director.

Stage 3

• <45% of Average Conditions. Residential and commercial irrigation is prohibited.

A Cross Connection Control Program (CCCP) helps establish protocols to protect the drinking water supply from potential contamination through cross connection and backflow. The District’s Permit to Operate (issued by the Interior Health Authority) requires the District to have a comprehensive CCCP. For More information on the District’s CCCP see the following:

• DLC Cross Connection Control Program [PDF/914KB]
• Water Regulation and Rates Bylaw 984  (Section 14-Cross Connection Control)

Backflow prevention devices (BPD) such as approved double check valve assemblies, reduced pressure backflow assemblies and pressure vacuum breakers require frequent testing and inspections to ensure they are in good working order. Residential users require that their BPD be tested every three years. Commercial users require annual testing of their BPD. Agricultural & seasonal irrigation services require testing annually, however testing on agriculture and season irrigation services is conducted by the District. Testing must be completed by an individual who is certified, and test results can be submitted to engineering@lakecountry.bc.ca 

• BFD Test Report [PDF/149KB]
• Backflow Assembly Removal Form [PDF/523KB]

Winterizing your backflow preventer for agricultural properties is a necessary process to ensure it’s functionality the following year. Watch a brief video to learn how to winterize your backflow preventer on an agricultural property.

To ensure your irrigation system is ready for the season, we typically schedule:

• Turn-Ons: third week of April
• Turn-Offs: second week of October

If you need an early turn-on or turn-off, please complete the form below: 

Irrigation Turn On/Off request

To maintain our high standards of water quality and service, our Watermain Commissioning Policy outlines the procedures and standards that must be adhered to when commissioning new or replaced watermains within our municipal water distribution system.

Please refer to the New Watermain Commissioning Policy 189, 2021 [PDF/1.6MB] and complete the appropriate forms (included with policy document) before commissioning a new watermain.

For older versions of these documents, please navigate to the Document Library. 

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