Local orchardists propose drilling into Okanagan aquifer to alleviate drought
The growers say the wells could cut 10% of demand from the Duteau source and help orchards survive if drought restrictions deepen.
- Orchardists David Geen and John Byland appeared Wednesday before the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee to propose drilling three wells into the Coldstream aquifer, aiming to reduce demand on the Duteau water source by 10 per cent.
- Local agriculturalists currently face a 70 per cent reduction in water allocation, limiting usage to 30 per cent for the year to prevent Stage 4 restrictions that would eliminate all agricultural water access.
- Geen and Byland plan to start drilling on July 13 at their own risk, with a proposal to transfer ownership of the wells to Greater Vernon Water at cost by Nov. 30, 2027.
- Rachelle Zelaney, co-owner of Zaleney Farms, supported the proposal citing potential economic benefits, and the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee revised its motion to support the well transfer agreement.
- The region is heading into a one-in-100-year El Nino, and GVAC director Brian Guy noted the wells could provide crucial benefits by 2027, though limited savings are expected this year.
8 Articles
8 Articles
Local orchardists propose drilling into Okanagan aquifer to alleviate drought - Grand Forks Gazette
As an unprecedented drought carries on with next to no relief in the form of rain in the North Okanagan, drastic Greater Vernon water restrictions continue to hammer agriculturalists. But two Coldstream orchardists are proposing a solution that could help their orchards survive this year, while taking pressure off the water system next year when conditions could be just as dry. Local agriculturalists have been informed they can only use 30 per c…
Local orchardists propose drilling into Okanagan aquifer to alleviate drought - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
As an unprecedented drought carries on with next to no relief in the form of rain in the North Okanagan, drastic Greater Vernon water restrictions continue to hammer agriculturalists. But two Coldstream orchardists are proposing a solution that could help their orchards survive this year, while taking pressure off the water system next year when conditions could be just as dry. Local agriculturalists have been informed they can only use 30 per c…
Local orchardists propose drilling into Okanagan aquifer to alleviate drought - Northern Sentinel
As an unprecedented drought carries on with next to no relief in the form of rain in the North Okanagan, drastic Greater Vernon water restrictions continue to hammer agriculturalists. But two Coldstream orchardists are proposing a solution that could help their orchards survive this year, while taking pressure off the water system next year when conditions could be just as dry. Local agriculturalists have been informed they can only use 30 per c…
Penticton Western News
Local orchardists propose drilling into Okanagan aquifer to alleviate drought
As an unprecedented drought carries on with next to no relief in the form of rain in the North Okanagan, drastic Greater Vernon water restrictions continue to hammer agriculturalists. But two Coldstream orchardists are proposing a solution that could help their orchards survive this year, while taking pressure off the water system next year when conditions could be just as dry. Local agriculturalists have been informed they can only use 30 per c…
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