Coldstream Water Restrictions 2026

Coldstream is a District municipality on the south shore of Kalamalka Lake, served by Greater Vernon Water (GVW). On May 7, 2026 GVW – administered by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) – declared Stage 2 Mandatory under Water Use and Regulation Bylaw No. 2545. The District of Coldstream is a separate municipality from the City of Vernon but draws from the same GVW source water (Kalamalka Lake, Duteau Creek Reservoir, Aberdeen Reservoir), so the watering rules cascade identically. Stage 2 schedule (same as Vernon, same as other GVW customers): • Lawn sprinkler irrigation: 1 day per week, 10 PM to 6 AM only • Odd addresses: Wednesday; even addresses: Sunday • Hand-watering, drip, micro-irrigation: permitted outside daytime window • Vehicle washing at home: discouraged • Pressure washing: limited to safety-critical preparation Coldstream's character is more rural-residential than Vernon, with the historic Coldstream Ranch heritage (1860s, one of the largest historic ranches in BC) shaping land use along Kalamalka Lake's south shore. Some long-established Coldstream Ranch properties have heritage landscape that pre-dates modern irrigation systems; these are still bound by Stage 2 rules but qualify for exemption permits in the same way as new construction. Lake Kalamalka residents sometimes ask whether they can draw lake water for irrigation. The answer is no – Kalamalka is a GVW source water and recreational drawing for irrigation requires a separate provincial water-licence permit, which is not generally granted for residential landscape use. Use your potable hose service from GVW for irrigation, and follow the Stage 2 schedule. Monitor rdno.ca/gvw for stage updates. Coldstream-specific bylaws may layer additional rules in some neighbourhoods – verify at coldstream.ca.