(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
April 20, 2016 - 6:30 PM
PENTICTON - A water conservation plan for agricultural water users in Penticton is still in the works.
The plan, a draft of which was presented to council earlier this week, is necessary in order to qualify for a $93,000 grant from the New Canada Building Fund Small Communities Program.
The grant will assist the city in the installation of agricultural water meters. The city currently has two agricultural water systems consisting of 390 hectares to the north of Penticton and 63 hectares to the south.
Consultant Steve Brubaker of Urban Systems Ltd. recently completed the draft plan, which reviewed water use from a historical perspective A review of past practices identified measures which could reduce water consumption by as much as 35 per cent.
Increased irrigation efficiency, meter installation, with a consumption based rate structure, water metering restrictions and irrigation management are measures Brubaker said could be applied to reduce water use.
The document will exist in draft form until the consultation process, which will include the city's sustainability committee, ends.
Council unanimously approved the draft plan and will now go to city committees for discussion and input prior to coming back before council.
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