Water Conservation is a vital component of climate resiliency. The 2023 Wildfire Season highlighted the importance on water conservation practices within our own community to keep drought conditions at bay. Armstrong’s Council Strategic Plan has Environmental Stewardship as a key Council priority which demonstrates Armstrong’s commitment to ensuring that things like Water Conservation remain a focus for our community to ensure we work together towards keeping our community safe.

 As part of this commitment Armstrong revised it’s Water Use and Conservation Bylaw, increasing incentives for water conservation year-round for residential customers. This supports the Council’s goal of promoting water conservation to mitigate climate change impacts.

The City of Armstrong empowers the community to work together to conserve water through a variety of measures including year-round water conservation restrictions, as well as its community-wide participation in the Okanagan Basin Water Boards’ Make Water Work campaign. As a result of the committed efforts towards water reduction within our community, the City of Armstrong has won the Make Water Work Community Championship for six consecutive years.

Visit the provincial Drought Information Portal to check to see drought levels in Armstrong.

Current Water Restriction:

Watering:

Even-numbered addresses water on even days;

Odd-numbered addresses water on odd days.

Water Systems: between 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. – midnight
In-ground auto systems: between midnight – 5 a.m.
By hand (handheld container or hose with a shut off): any day at any time

For Additional Information:

Sprinkling in Armstrong – Year Round
Water Use and Conservation Bylaw

Make Water Work

MAKE WATER WORK

The City of Armstrong is a passionate participant in the Make Water Work campaign. We have been crowned the Make Water Work Champion for the last six years.

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 residents with resilient landscapes that can handle wet and dry years, and help ensure a sustainable water supply for our valley.

Did you know?

– 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.
– 24% of ALL water used in the Okanagan is used on our household lawns and gardens.

Helpful Resources from Make Water Work:

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

Never mow low. Let it grow!

Leave grass 2-3 inches tall (5-8cm). Water stays longer when grass is longer.
Leaving your grass longer slows evaporation from the soil, making it work more effectively!

Leave grass clippings as mulch.

Leaving grass clippings on your lawn helps feed the lawn and keep moisture,
requiring less water and reducing evaporation.

It’s ok to be a drip! Install a drip irrigation system

Save water on your shrubs, trees and gardens with drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is much
more efficient; 90% of water reaches the plant. It is also energy efficient because it works
on low water pressure.

Collect and use rainwater. It’s free!

Rain barrels collect fresh, naturally soft and chemical-free water that is great for container plants,
flower beds, and food gardens

Find other rainwater catchment ideas in our Slow it. Spread it. Sink it! Guide for Okanagan Residents.

Aerate your lawn and top dress with compost.

Aerating the lawn in early spring or fall improves water penetration. Water also works best
with organic products like compost, which minimize over-fertilizing and help prevent storm
water pollution.

One inch a week will do.

Most lawns need just 2.5cm (one inch) of water per week—about the depth
of a tuna can.

Watering deeply and less often promotes deep, healthy root growth. If you’re
watering deeply but not seeing results, the problem may be inadequate topsoil.
Try top dressing with half an inch of compost, then over-seeding for a thick and
vigorous lawn.

Pair water with plants suitable for our dry climate.

Okanagan water works best with plants suitable for our dry climate: drought-tolerant turf,
native and low-water variety plants.

Check out our Make Water Work Plant Collection, including 105 perennials, grasses, trees,
and shrubs.

Put it on the night shift. Water between dusk and dawn

Putting water to work during the coolest part of the day prevents evaporation. A good rule
of thumb is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Check with your water utility for specific watering
restrictions in your area.

Okay, but how am I supposed to water my lawn while I’m asleep?

Get a timer! Did you know that only 12% of stand-alone sprinklers in Canada are used with a timer?
Let’s change that stat together. Most hardware stores supply timers for sprinklers. Sleep like a baby
while your water works the night shift.

Don’t spray and pray.

Don’t let water waste your time, effort and money! It should sprinkle your lawn or garden, not pavement.

Tune up your irrigation.

Water works better when paired with a properly running irrigation system. Fix leaks and broken or clogged sprinkler heads. Reduce run times when weather is cooler. Don’t know how? Go with a certified irrigation pro!

Install water-saving irrigation products.

Save money on your water bill by using high efficiency irrigation, like drip or microjet, for shrubs and gardens.