Water is one of the highest priority issues facing Vernon.
After the restrictions we experienced this summer, the questions are understandable: Do we have enough water to support our community in the future? How will growth affect demand? Can we make better use of the water we already have? And are we making the right investments today to protect our water supply for the future?
I’m not going to pretend that after a couple of months of campaigning I’m suddenly a water expert. But the more I learn, the clearer it becomes that water security is about much more than simply how much water we have.
To make informed decisions about Vernon’s long-term water supply, we need a clear picture of our existing supply and infrastructure, agricultural and environmental needs, conservation opportunities, future demand, and the impacts of growth and climate change.
Understanding Our Water Capacity
Greater Vernon Water has undertaken a Water Capacity Study to help answer some of these questions.
The study is examining current and future accessible water capacity, future growth and demand, the potential impacts of climate change, and infrastructure improvements that may be required. One of its key objectives is determining whether Greater Vernon Water has sufficient capacity to accommodate planned development while continuing to meet the long-term needs of our community. (Regional District of North Okanagan)
Greater Vernon Water already holds licences for water that our existing infrastructure cannot fully access. For example, additional storage would be required to capture more of our licensed Duteau Creek water, while other licensed water would require new pumping, treatment or distribution infrastructure. What would those investments cost, how much additional usable water would they provide, and when would they be needed? These are exactly the kinds of questions the Water Capacity Study can help us answer.
Making Better Use of the Water We Already Have
One of the most encouraging things I’ve learned is that some innovative work is already happening.
This summer, the City of Vernon worked with the Regional District of North Okanagan to expand the use of reclaimed water for agriculture. A temporary provincial authorization allowed Vernon’s reclaimed-water system to supplement the Goose Lake non-potable irrigation system serving approximately 100 agricultural users in the Bella Vista and West Swan Lake/Old Kamloops Road areas.
In August alone, approximately 77 million litres of reclaimed water were supplied through that system, representing about 40 to 50 per cent of the water supplied through it that month.
The City is now looking ahead to 2027, including seeking an extension of the authorization, designing additional pumps and control infrastructure, and determining how much reclaimed water can reliably be supplied on an ongoing basis.
The City also took steps to reduce potable water use in parks and open spaces during the drought. Those efforts reduced potable water consumption by approximately 60 per cent, saving about 55 million litres of drinking water.
Reducing Water Loss
Another opportunity is reducing the amount of water lost within the system.
Greater Vernon Water’s 2023 water audit estimated that approximately 18 per cent of water entering the system was lost, including estimated losses associated with metering and data as well as other unidentified losses. (Regional District of North Okanagan)
That raises an obvious question: how much additional capacity could we recover through leak detection, accurate metering and strategic infrastructure renewal?
Before looking only to new sources of water, we should understand what opportunities exist to make better use of the water already within our system.
Planning Growth Around Water
Vernon needs more housing, including housing that is attainable for young people, families, seniors and people with lower incomes. At the same time, population growth and new development increase demand on our water system.
These aren’t separate conversations.
We need reliable information about current and future water capacity so that decisions about housing and development are made with a clear understanding of what our water system can sustainably support.
That also means thinking carefully about where and how we grow. Can growth within existing developed areas make more efficient use of infrastructure? Can new development incorporate more water-efficient practices? And how do we ensure water infrastructure keeps pace with development?
Agriculture Must Be Part of the Conversation
This summer also demonstrated how directly water shortages can affect our agricultural community.
Agriculture is an important part of our regional economy and food system, and agricultural water needs have to be considered alongside residential, commercial, environmental and future development needs.
The reclaimed-water initiative demonstrates that there may also be opportunities to think differently about how we meet some of those needs.
Long-term water planning needs to consider all water users and recognize that different uses don’t necessarily require the same quality or source of water.
Conservation Is Part of Water Security
Infrastructure will be part of the solution, but conservation also matters.
That means reducing water loss within our system, making greater use of reclaimed water and improving infrastructure. It also means looking at how residents, businesses and developers can use water more efficiently.
Community education has an important role to play. The City and Greater Vernon Water can work with community organizations and other partners to help people understand why conservation matters and the practical steps we can all take to reduce demand.
The goal isn’t simply to respond when we’re in a drought. It’s to make responsible water use part of how we plan for the future.
How Do We Pay for What Comes Next?
There will also be difficult financial questions.
If significant infrastructure investments are required, Council and the Regional District will need to understand what those investments will achieve, when they are required and how they should be funded.
If infrastructure is needed specifically to accommodate future development, we should also be asking what should appropriately be funded through new development and what should be borne by existing water users and taxpayers.
Those decisions need to consider not only today’s capital cost, but long-term operating costs and the value of the additional water capacity or resilience those investments provide.
Looking Ahead
I don’t have predetermined answers to all of these questions. What I do believe is that water security is fundamental to Vernon’s future, and to our homes, agriculture, economy, natural environment and ability to accommodate responsible growth.
It’s also important to recognize that Greater Vernon Water is a regional utility managed through the RDNO. Vernon doesn’t make these decisions on its own. As a City, however, we have an important voice at the regional table and need to work collaboratively with the RDNO, our agricultural community and our regional partners.
The Water Capacity Study will help us identify the gaps and understand our options. From there, we need to bring the right expertise to the table, evaluate the costs and benefits, and set clear priorities for conservation, reducing water loss, expanding water reuse and investing in the infrastructure we need.
Housing, agriculture, growth and water security aren’t separate conversations. The decisions we make today need to ensure Vernon has a secure and sustainable water supply for the next 10, 20 and 30 years.
Published: September 24, 2026