Water restriction changes have merchants boiling

Reprint of The Morning Star, May 19, 2010, story by Richard Rolke

Attempts to address concerns about water restrictions have triggered a flood of complaints.

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and the North Okanagan Regional District will meet today to consider a new water restrictions bylaw for Greater Vernon.

"Hopefully it will be suitable and have solutions that will work for now," said Wayne Lippert, VGAC chairman (and Vernon Mayor).

"I expect you will see a modification of restrictions so we can manage resources better."

Greater Vernon has been on stage three water restrictions for a month because of low snowpack and reservoir levels.  The most contentious component has been not allowing pools to be filled.

The proposed bylaw -- under stage three -- would allow for pools to be filled, refilled or topped up for two hours per day, one day a week, from midnight to 6 a.m. between June 15 and Aug. 31.  Outside of those dates, only topping up would be permitted.  Filling or refilling would be allowed during the annual spill at the headgates reservoir but NORD would determine when that occurs.

"To make a person get up in the middle of the night to fill their pool is ridiculous," said Lee Kazmar, with Pools, Ponds and Waterscapes.

"There's no evaporation when you put a hose into a pool.  It doesn't make one drop of difference to water usage."

Kazmar doesn't believe the new rules will deter people from filling existing pools when they want, but it may prevent people from ordering new pools which will negatively impact businesses like his.

Opposition to the bylaw is also coming from turf producers.

"The current revision states that no new permits will be issued for new turf and it changes hand-held sprinkling for turf to once per week from every day," said Bonnie Leibel, with Lavington Turf Farms.

"This ensures that we sell no turf now.  Under stage three restrictions, every business in this community will be able to operate at some capacity except us."

The proposed bylaw also indicates that indoor commercial car washes will only be permitted if they use a minimum of 75 per cent recycled water.  Recycling systems must be in place by June 1, 2011.

"The amount of water a hotel uses is going to be more than a car wash," said Wade Cantalope, with Silver Star Car Wash.

Cantalope says he's investigated recycling systems but the installers aren't interested because his water volume is too small.

"They have bigger fish to fry."

Cantalope has not been contacted by NORD about the potential rule changes.

"They're looking for headlines but will they solve the problem?"  he said of water management.

The proposed bylaw was drafted after a drought management workshop last week.

It's anticipated stage three water restrictions will continue no matter what directors do with the bylaw today.

"We've had some rain but I can't see that changing drastically," said Arnold Badke, NORD'S engineering general manager.