June 11, 2026:
Despite some welcome rainfall in May and June, our communities are now experiencing the on-the-ground and localized impacts of this multi-year drought.
Each community will experience these impacts differently, depending on their water systems. Each water utility differs in their water source (reservoirs, valley-bottom lakes, streams, etc.), their ability to store water, and to change sources as the season goes on.
During periods of scarcity, we ask residents to check directly with their local water utility for the most up-to-date information on conditions and watering restrictions.
Read the latest OBWB Drought Bulletin here.
Remember: Your local water supplier knows best what’s needed to keep water flowing for homes, food, fish, and firefighting right where you are.
Okanagan Water Facts
There is less water available per person in the Okanagan than anywhere else in Canada.
The Okanagan has one of the highest rates of water use per person in Canada.
The second largest use of water in the Okanagan is used on our household lawns & gardens.
The Okanagan is on the front lines of climate change, shifting between flooding and drought, and extreme fire seasons.
As we work to find solutions to these climate events, Make Water Work is aimed at preparing Okanagan residents with resilient landscapes that can handle wet and dry years, and help ensure a sustainable water supply for our valley.
Ready to test your Okanagan water IQ and find tips to
Make Water Work Smarter in your yard?
If you water your yard… make water work smarter!
XERISCAPE, NOT ZERO-SCAPE
There are many beautiful plants that thrive in our dry Okanagan climate! For a full list, check here!