WHAT’S NEW
MEDIA RELEASES
July 25, 2024 – Okanagan Drought Bulletin #3 – Okanagan declared at Level 3 Drought
July 19, 2024 – Okanagan Drought Bulletin #2 – After initial reprieve, Okanagan back to Level 2 Drought
May 31, 2024 – Okanagan mayors & fire chiefs urge residents to take steps to be WaterWise & FireSmart this summer
May 16, 2024 – Okanagan Drought Bulletin #1 – Okanagan moved to Drought Level 2
2024 IN THE NEWS
May 30, 2024 – Okanagan officials urge water conservation amid drought conditions, Global Okanagan
May 30, 2024 – FireSmart and WaterWise go hand-in-hand in the Okanagan-Kelowna-Capital-News, Kelowna Capital News
May 30, 2024 – Okanagan residents urged to get WaterWise and FireSmart, Castanet.net
May 22, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Give your new plants their best start to life, Castanet.net
May 17, 2024 – Okanagan begins annual drought watch at Level 2, very dry, Global Okanagan
May 16, 2024 – Province raises drought level in the Okanagan, Summerland Review
May 8, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Choose native plants to combat extreme weather, Castanet.net
April 29, 2024 – Seasonal water restrictions on the way in Penticton, Castanet.net
April 27, 2024 – Water restrictions start amid rising fears of drought, Penticton Herald
April 24, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Glorious ground covers for your Xeriscape garden, Castanet.net
April 10, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Want to add colour to your garden? Think pink, Castanet.net
March 27, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Cheery easy to grow plants for your garden, Castanet.net
March 13, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Another successful Seedy Sunday event, Castanet.net
February 28, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Top three questions about xeriscape, Castanet.net
February 14, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Sustainable gardening can help save the planet, Castanet.net
January 31, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: The water numbers don’t lie, and the news is good, Castanet.net
January 17, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: It’s easy to keep this New Year’s resolution, Castanet.net
January 3, 2024 – Gardening with Nature column: Not a good sign as B.C. continues to dry out, Castanet.net
Media Releases
November 8, 2023 – Okanagan drought continues as water campaign wraps
August 18, 2023 – Okanagan Drought Bulletin #4 – Okanagan moved to Drought Level 5
August 3, 2023 – Okanagan Drought Bulletin #3 – Okanagan moved to Drought Level 4
July 11, 2023 – Okanagan Drought Bulletin #2 – Okanagan moved to Drought Level 3
June 23, 2023 – Okanagan Drought Bulletin #1 – Okanagan moved to Drought Level 2
May 19, 2023 – Okanagan chiefs and mayors gather to encourage conservation
In the News
December 20, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: A look back at the year that was for gardeners, Castanet.net
December 6, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Creating future gardens from the very beginning, Castanet.net
November 22, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Rodent problems can force harsh measures in a garden, Castanet.net
November 11, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Now’s the time to prep your garden for winter, Castanet.net
November 9, 2023 – Okanagan water board hoping for plenty of precipitation, Vernon Morning Star
November 9, 2023 – WaterWise program extended over winter due to drought, Vernon Matters
November 8, 2023 – Okanagan water conservation campaign wraps up, Board wary of drought conditions over the winter, Kelowna Now
November 8, 2023 – Gardening with nature column: Now’s the time to prep your garden for winter, Castanet.net
November 3, 2023 – Okanagan drops to level 2 drought conditions but warmer, drier winter still a concern, Kelowna Now
November 3, 2023 – Okanagan drought conditions improve, but concern lingers over multi-year water shortage, Vernon News
October 25, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Enjoy ornamental grasses through the winter months, Castanet.net
October 11, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Volunteers are the heart and soul of Okanagan Xeriscape Association, Castanet.net
September 27, 2023 – Gardening with Nature: Fundraising sale shows drought-resistant plants are growing in popularity, Castanet.net
September 21, 2023 – Armstrong named Make Water Work community champion for the 6th time, Castanet.net
September 19, 2023 – Water conservation encouraged as drought conditions persist, Vernon Matters
September 13, 2023 – Gardening with nature column: Drought-tolerant perennials a good choice for your garden, Castanet.net
September 7, 2023 – Okanagan Water Board annual meeting taps into water solutions that address climate & other challenges, AM 1150
August 30, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: It’s time to set water priorities in your garden, Castanet.net
August 22, 2023 – Okanagan elevated to most severe drought level, Penticton Herald
August 17, 2023 – Okanagan drought rating heats up to highest, Level 5, Kelowna Capital News
August 16, 2023 – Gardening with nature column: Plants need strategies to deal with the heat too, Castanet.net
August 15, 2023 – Okanagan residents asked to conserve water amid Level 4 drought, Global Okanagan
August 11, 2023 – Okanagan Water Basin now declared to be Drought Level 4, Castanet.net
August 2, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Why it’s nuts to litter your landscape with fabric, Castanet.net
July 19, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Tips to keep your plants alive in scorching summer heat, Castanet.net
July 11, 2023 – Okanagan moved to Drought Level 3, VernonMatters.ca
July 11, 2023 – Osoyoos consumes water at seven times the national average, Castanet.net
July 5, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Invasive plants are dangerous for all, Castanet.net
June 27, 2023 – Level two drought declared in Okanagan, Kelowna Daily Courier
June 24, 2023 – Okanagan Valley moves to level two drought, Global BC
June 23, 2023 – ‘Very dry’ – Okanagan elevated to drought level 2, KelownaNow.com
June 21, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Weather wreaks havoc on plants throughout region, Castanet.net
June 7, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Use native plants to help stabilize slopes, Castanet.net
May 24, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Plan your garden to feed pollinators as well as for beauty, Castanet.net
May 18, 2023 – Save water this summer – Aver. Okanagan home uses more than double national average, Castanet.net
May 18, 2023 – Okanagan residents encouraged to conserve water, Global Okanagan
May 18, 2023 – ‘We need to be more water-wise’: Okanagan chiefs, mayors encourage conservation, Kelowna Capital News
May 10, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Mother knows best – Mother Nature that is, Castanet.net
April 26, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Plant sale fundraiser to offer unique drought-tolerant plants, Castanet.net
April 25, 2023 – Annual water restrictions coming to Penticton residents, Castanet.net
April 12, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Scary precipitation stats from Environment Canada, Castanet.net
March 29, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: It’s officially spring, so it’s time to plant, Castanet.net
March 15, 2023 – Rest your lawnmower and let the lawn grow, Castanet.net
March 1, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Fight the impacts of climate change on your garden, Castanet.net
February 15, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Join the move towards good landscape choices, Castanet.net
February 1, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: ‘Re-wilding’ is one way to rebuild an ecosystem, Castanet.net
Jan. 24, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Xeriscape supporters are supporters of Mother Nature, Castanet.net
Jan. 18, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Don’t be a dinosaur – conserve water, Castanet.net
January 4, 2023 – Gardening with Nature column: Xeriscape supporters are supporters of Mother Nature, Castanet.net
Make Water Work Story Series
FEATURE – Gwen Steele: Xeriscape works for longtime gardener, Vernon Morning Star
FEATURE: John and Maria Byland – Nursery making water work, Vernon Morning Star
FEATURE – Eva Antonijevic: Choose plants suitable to our dry climate, Kelowna Capital News
FEATURE – Bruce Naka: Don’t let automated irrigation get lazy, Kelowna Capital News
FEATURE – Dean Dack: Compost great for your plants and uses water efficiently, Kelowna Capital News
Media Releases
Sept. 16, 2022 – Okanagan water conservation efforts celebrated
May 20, 2022 – Okanagan residents encouraged to be WaterWise this summer
In The News
Dec. 21, 2022 – Gardening with Nature column: Picking the right plant for your xeriscape garden, Castanet.net
Sept. 24, 2022 – Gardening with nature column: Perennials are better planted in fall, not spring, Castanet.net
Sept. 18, 2022 – Armstrong crowned water champion for fifth time, Kelowna Capital News
Sept. 16, 2022 – Armstrong named ‘Make Water Work champions,’ VernonMatters.ca
July 21, 2022 – Keep making water work for the victory, Okanagan Advertiser
May 29, 2022 – Residents encouraged to be WaterWise as Okanagan Lake below full pool, Kelowna Capital News
May 22, 2022 – Water Board wants residents to conserve water this summer, offers reward, Castanet.net
May 21, 2022 – Okanagan residents encouraged to get the most out of their water use, Summerland Review
Media Releases
Sept. 14, 2021 – Okanagan residents who conserved water this summer celebrated in critically water-short year
June 17, 2021 – Okanagan mayors take to social media with water conservation call
In The News
Sept. 24, 2021 – Make Water Work winner announced as Peachland, South Okanagan Times-Chronicle
Sept. 20, 2021 – How scorching temperatures and water shortages are affecting the Okanagan valley, CBC Radio One’s The Current
Sept. 16, 2021 – Make Water Work loss is just Peachy, Armstrong Advertiser
Sept. 14, 2021 – New winner of ‘Make Water Work’ in Okanagan, VernonMatters.ca
Sept. 14, 2021 – Okanagan News in Brief: Saving water pays off for Summerland woman, Kelowna Daily Courier
Sept. 10, 2021 – Peachland dethrones Armstrong for Okanagan water conservation title, Black Press
August 30, 2021 – Water diligence urged amid continued drought conditions in the Okanagan, Summerland Review
August 14, 2021 – Okanagan now at Level 4 drought – people asked to conserve water, Castanet.net
August 14, 2021 – Okanagan now at Drought Level 4 – government asking residents to reduce water use, Global Okanagan
August 14, 2021 – Okanagan basin moves to drought level 4, CBC TV Vancouver News
August 14, 2021 – Government declares Level 4 drought in Okanagan, South Okanagan Times-Chronicle
August 14, 2021 – Drought now at level 4 in the Okanagan, AM1150
August 13, 2021 – Okanagan drought, the impacts, and what residents can do, CBC Daybreak South
July 30, 2021 – Drought impacts on Okanagan streams and fish, CBC Daybreak South
July 29, 2021 – Okanagan Lake hits lowest level since 2003, Vernon Morning Star
July 29, 2021 – Stage 3 Water Restrictions take effect on Friday for Oliver water system users, Castanet.net
July 17, 2021 – Okanagan drought killing fish and exposing need for major water management change, InfoNews.ca
July 16, 2021 – Okanagan Valley upgraded to level 3 drought conditions, Global Okanagan
July 10, 2021 – COLUMN – Managing Summerland’s water resource, Summerland Review
June 28, 2021 – Use water wisely during heat wave: City of Kelowna, KelownaNow.ca
June 27, 2021 – ‘Too early to tell’ drought’s impacts on Okanagan agriculture, Castanet.net
June 23, 2021 – Okanagan residents challenged to ‘make water work’, Global Okanagan
June 20, 2021 – Okanagan Mayors call to action on water conservation, Castanet.net
June 14, 2021 – Extremely dry spring brings water shortage worries to the South Okanagan, Penticton Western News
June 8, 2021 – Okanagan bracing for what could be a severe drought this summer, Global Okanagan
June 7, 2021 – Drought preparations underway for the Okanagan VernonMatters.ca
May 21, 2021 – With reservoirs at below average levels, Greater Vernon Water suggests prepping for a dry summer, Global Okanagan
May 3, 2021 – Easy on the hose water hog, Penticton Herald
April 29, 2021 – Watering restrictions in Penticton start May 1, Penticton Western News
Media Releases
Sept. 16, 2020 – Hot competition for water conservation as Okanagan residents vie for champion title
May 25, 2020 – Okanagan mayors promote water conservation, offering peek into their own backyards
In The News
October 1, 2020 – City and township make water work history, Okanagan Advertiser
October 1, 2020 – Armstrong mayor gives Spallumcheen kudos for tough water competition, Vernon Morning Star
September 18, 2020 – Armstrong wins WaterWise event…again, Beach Radio
September 17, 2020 – City of Armstrong wins title in Make Water Work campaign, Castanet.net
September 17, 2020 – Armstrong crowned champion in Make Water Work campaign, Vernon Morning Star
September 17, 2020 – Okanagan Communities Vie for Champion Title in Water Conservation Competition, WaterCanada.net
June 22, 2020 – Armstrong returns to main water source after spring season, Castanet.net
June 5, 2020 – Okanagan Mayors lend support to virtual water conservation challenge, Oliver Chronicle
June 5, 2020 – Mayor McKortoff lends support to virtual water conservation challenge, Times Chronicle
May 27, 2020 – Can Peachland be Make Water Work champs two years in row?, Peachland View
May 25, 2020 – Okanagan mayors show how they conserve water in their yards, Castanet.net
May 25, 2020 – Video: Okanagan mayors encourage water conservation this summer – Could be more important than ever, experts say, Kelowna Capital News
Media Releases
September 6, 2019 – Okanagan Water Board Annual Meeting spotlights valley-wide water connection
May 16, 2019 – Okanagan mayors & students join forces, encourage water conservation
In The News
September 9, 2019 – Water – don’t waste a drop, Castanet.net
September 6, 2019 – Peachland beats out Armstrong for water conservation contest, Kelowna Capital News
June 23, 2019 – Drought Warning for Okanagan Residents AM1150
June 21, 2019 – Drought declared for Valley The Kelowna Daily Courier
June 21, 2019 – Voluntary water restrictions urged in the Okanagan as drought concerns rise Infotel News
June 21, 2019 – Time to reduce water use says water board Kelowna Capital News
June 20, 2019 – Okanagan elevated to Level 3 drought rating, water conservation urged Global News
June 16, 2019 – Oliver gets water restrictions Castanet
June 15, 2019 – Possible water restrictions in Vernon Vernon Morning Star
June 12, 2019 – Okanagan raised to level two drought rating Global News
June 11, 2019 – Level 2 drought warning Castanet
May 22, 2019 – Kelowna school joins valley-wide initiative to cut back on water usage Kelowna Now
May 17, 2019 – Okanagan mayors urge citizens to conserve water Kelowna Capital News
May 16, 2019 – Stay WaterWise, kids Castanet
May 16, 2019 – Make Water Work campaign encourages water conservation in Okanagan valley Global News
Media Releases
October 12, 2018 – Okanagan Residents Commit to Conversation – Win WaterWise Yard Prizes
May 17, 2018 – Okanagan mayors trade gavel for gardening gloves & encourage water conservation
In The News
October 21, 2018 – Winners announced in water conservation contest Kelowna Daily Courier
October 17, 2018 – Water Board recognizes water conservation winners Castanet
August 24, 2018 – Okanagan moves into drought level two as hot, dry summer continues Global Okanagan
August 24, 2018 – Drought level raised in the Okanagan as rain remains scarce InfoNews
August 8, 2018 – Preparing for Okanagan Valley’s water future Kelowna Capital News
June 26, 2018 – Level 1 drought rating remains for Okanagan Valley SummerlandReview
May 23, 2018 – Editorial: Incentive to be water-wise and fire smart Kelowna Capital News
May 20, 2018 – Mayors get WaterWise Castanet
May 18, 2018 – Okanagan Communities Reaffirm Water Conservation Commitment Water Canada
May 17, 2018 – Pledging to Make Water Work Kelowna Capital News
Media Releases
Sept. 22, 2017 – As summer of wacky Okanagan weather comes to end, WaterWise residents
June 14, 2017 – Okanagan mayors gather to encourage conservation in face of weather extremes
In The News
Sept. 25, 2017 – Make Water Work Castanet
Sept. 23, 2017 – Kelowna resident Make Water Work champ Kelowna Capital News
Sept. 22, 2017 – WaterWise residents recognized by Okanagan Basin Water Board KelownaNow
July 6, 2017 – From floods to drought Castanet
June 23, 2017 – Opinion: From the Mayor’s desk – Returning to normal Peachland View
June 16, 2017 – In the midst of historic flooding officials asking you to conserve waterInfoNews Kelowna
June 16, 2017 – Water conservation still key this summer Kelowna Capital News
June 15, 2017 – Water restrictions – Make Water Work CBC Radio -Daybreak South
June 14, 2017 – Make Water Work Castanet
June 14, 2017 – Mayors kick off Make Water Work campaign KelownaNow
June 14, 2017 – Okanagan mayors urge water conservation despite flood Global Okanagan
June 14, 2017 – Water Board brings back conservation challenge AM1150
June 14, 2017 – Water Still At Premium Despite Lake Levels 1075 Kiss FM Vernon
Media Releases
Sept. 30, 2016 – As Okanagan prepares for future droughts, Osoyoos couple clinches $6000 Grand Prize to WaterWise their yard
May 11, 2016 – Warm spring, early fire season, prompts Okanagan mayors to gather and urge water conservation
In The News
Nov 8, 2016 – Osoyoos couple clinches $6000 grand prize in OBWB contest to WaterWise their yard, Osoyoos Times
Oct 2, 2016 – Osoyoos couple wins $6000 prize to WaterWise yard, InfoNews Kelowna
Sept 16, 2016 – Peachland wins Okanagan Make Water Work competition, Peachland View
May 18, 2016 – Make Water Work in and around your own home, Lake Country Calendar
May 13, 2016 – Water conservation message_Penticton Western News
May 13, 2016 – Local mayors urge residents to conserve water, Kelowna Cap News
May 12, 2016 – Record April heat shrinks snowpack, Kelowna Daily Courier
May 12, 2016 – Okanagan mayors want you to conserve your water, Kelowna Now
May 12, 2016 – Okanagan water challenge, CBC Radio Daybreak South
May 11, 2016 – Officials urge Okanagan residents to be ‘water wise’ this summer, Global Okanagan
May 11, 2016 – Valley mayors urge conservation ahead of possible drought, InfoNews.ca
Media Releases
August 31, 2015 – In a Summer When it Mattered Most – Okanagan Residents Pledge to “Make Water Work” in Record Numbers
August 13, 2015 – Okanagan Water Board Brings Province & Local Water Users Together to Address Drought
July 21, 2015 – Okanagan Basin Water Board Urges Residents to Conserve in Face of Drought
May 6, 2015 – Unique project has businesses join mayors – urge conservation
Make Water Work Story Series
October 2, 2015 – FEATURE – Barry Paull: Turf thirsty turf and replace with drought-tolerant material, Kelowna Capital News
September 11, 2015 – FEATURE – Eva Antonijevic: Choose plants suitable to our dry climate, Kelowna Capital News
July 31, 2015 – FEATURE – Bruce Naka: Don’t let automated irrigation get lazy, Kelowna Capital News
July 15, 2015 – FEATURE – Dean Dack: Compost great for your plants and uses water efficiently, Kelowna Capital News
In The News
June 8, 2015 – Make Water Work, Shaw TV Okanagan
June 5, 2015 – Make Water Work – Water conservation program takes aim at lawns and gardens, Peachland View
May 8, 2015 – Make Water Work launched early in summery hot Okanagan, CBC News
May 8, 2015 – Good to the last drop, Kelowna Capital News
May 7, 2015 – Valley mayors join Okanagan Water Board to Make Water Work, Kelowna Now
Media Releases
August 22, 2014 – Oliver takes “Make Water Work Champion” title while Vernon woman wins $5,000 WaterWise yard upgrade
June 24, 2014 – 2014 RBC Blue Water Project donates $90,000 to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen for valley-wide water conservation projects.
July 9, 2014 – Okanagan mayors challenge each other and residents to “Make Water Work” this summer
Make Water Work Story Series
September 16, 2014 – FEATURE – Gwen Steele: Xeriscape works for longtime gardener, Vernon Morning Star
August 17, 2014 – FEATURE: John and Maria Byland – Nursery making water work, Vernon Morning Star
August 8, 2014 – FEATURE – Don Triggs & Culmina Family Estate Winery: Vineyard on cutting edge of farming, Penticton Western News
July 16, 2014 – FEATURE – Janet Armstrong & Lloyd Davies: Xeriscaping can create beautiful yards, Vernon Morning Star
In The News
September 8, 2014 – Kelowna councillor pushes water conservation, Kelowna Capital News
August 29, 2014 – MLA Report, Linda Larson: Oliver is Make Water Work Champion, Osoyoos Times
August 29, 2014 – Local wins water contest, Vernon Morning Star
August 22, 2014 – Oliver best in Okanagan at conserving water, says board, Kelowna Daily Courier
July 10, 2014 – Okanagan mayors issue challenge to “Make Water Work” this summer, Peachland View
July 9, 2014 – Local politicians challenge residents to use less water, KelownaNow
Media Releases
August 28, 2013 – Valley-wide “Make Water Work” contest nets a winner
August 19, 2013 – Win $5000 to waterwise your yard – Make Water Work contest ends Friday