Kelowna's First Water Security & Responsibility Plan
Official title: Water Security and Responsibility Plan
Why This Matters
Live in Kelowna? Your water comes from Okanagan Lake, which doesn't always refill enough in dry years. The region uses more water per person than almost anywhere else in Canada. This plan affects everything from your water bills to whether you can water your lawn during summer droughts.
What Could Change
The city will implement 40 actions to manage water more responsibly. This could mean new watering restrictions, changes to stormwater management, and updated policies for how water is shared between residential, agricultural, and commercial users.
Key Issues
- How should Kelowna reduce its high per-person water consumption?
- How can the city prepare for years when Okanagan Lake doesn't refill enough?
- How should water be shared between households, farms, and businesses?
How to Participate
- Review the Water Security Open House Panels to understand the plan's key elements and proposed actions.
- Learn more about current water management through the Kelowna Integrated Water Supply Plan and City Water Utility pages.
What Happened
The Water Security & Responsibility Plan was adopted by the City of Kelowna in April 2025. The plan identifies 40 short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions to responsibly manage water in the community. The city thanked participants for helping shape the plan.