Water Supplier uses Sampling Results to “Cattle-ize” Ministerial Action in Lake Country

The District of Lake Country used complaints, substantiated by sampling results and watershed monitoring, to improve source water protection in the Oyama Creek Community Watershed.

Complaints by the District to the Interior Health Authority (IHA) regarding the impact of ranching practices on water quality prompted the IHA to request that FLNRORD develop and implement BMPs for ranchers.

The BMP measures to protect water quality (e.g., identifying and monitoring vulnerable zones, improving communication to range licences, and limiting cattle concentration in riparian areas) were implemented in future range use plans (RUPS).

IMG_0401

We are all downstream.

IMG_0401

A healthy watershed is central to clean and abundant source water.

IMG_0401

Establishing setbacks, restoring riparian buffer zones along watercourses, and acquiring watershed segments can save money by preventing costly impacts to source water.

IMG_0401

British Columbia legislation related to source water protection is complicated, and the Government of British Columbia does not have a lead water agency.

IMG_0401

Local action supported by stable funding and consistent and coordinated approaches is imperative to maintaining source water quality.

Funding for this project was provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Interior Health Authority, City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna and the Okanagan Basin Water Board. This project was also supported through the Healthy Watersheds Initiative, which is delivered by the Real Estate Foundation of BC and Watersheds BC, with financial support from the Province of British Columbia as part of its $10-billion COVID-19 response.