Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society provides grassroots leadership and an inclusive process, with a voice for all community members, to ensure that our community grows and develops in a way that incorporates an environmental ethic, offers a range of housing and transportation choices, encourages a vibrant and cultural life and supports sustainable, meaningful employment and business opportunities.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Kelowna First to Set New Landscape Water Use Standards

This is the City of Kelowna's news release from from March 29th.

The City of Kelowna is implementing smart landscaping practices. The new landscaping standards will help to reduce water consumption across the city and reduce residential landscaping water consumption by a further 15 per cent.

"These landscaping and design regulations are consistent with industry best practices, making Kelowna the first city in BC to set this level of landscape water usage standards," say Don Degen, Manager Utility Services. "The process will help property owners learn how to attractively landscape their yards while conserving water." Under the new bylaw, property owners building new homes or renovating existing outdoor landscape irrigation systems will be required to apply for a City permit prior to installing or renovating their irrigation system. Property owners with irrigation systems less than 100 sq. metres would be exempt from this requirement.

"We recognize that the permit process may be new for some and property owners may need assistance with designing their spaces," says Neal Klassen, Water Smart Coordinator. "A great place to start is the landscape guide. The guide provides information on smart irrigation and identifies why we need to reduce landscape water use."

Property owners will be required to apply to the City for a permit and submit a landscape water conservation report under the proposed changes. Worksheets have been developed to assist property owners and will be available on the City's website.

City Council introduced and proposed bylaw changes at the March 28 meeting. Council will consider final adoption at their next regular meeting with the target roll-out date being mid-April.

The Landscape and Irrigation guide is available at  http://www.kelowna.ca/watersmart.
 http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page396.aspx

and let's hope Cranbrook doesn't have too many Gizmos like this one!


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