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Residents Urged by Bournemouth Water to Cut Back on Water Use
The new water-scarcity scale puts the Okanagan at the highest level, prompting calls to reduce use and protect flows for ecosystems and communities.
The Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance is urging local water users to start a coordinated conservation effort as Okanagan Lake hits its lowest level on record for this time of year and continues to decline.
Working with B.C. government, the ONA added a water scarcity measurement framework to the Drought and Information Portal, which shows the Okanagan, from Armstrong down to Osoyoos, is at "HIGH" water scarcity levels.
While the Drought measurement describes climate conditions, the scarcity assessment uses a combination of Syilx knowledge and Western science to determine if water availability supports ecological, cultural, and community needs, the ONA said.
The Management Committee urged all water users to Reduce water use, Protect flows for ecosystems, Share information, and Plan with a one-watershed perspective to protect the region for present and future generations.
Expanding the initiative across the Southern Interior, work is also underway to establish water-scarcity levels for the Similkameen watershed; the ONA continued, saying that "HIGH" water scarcity levels in the region "signal the need" for action.