OID Water Outage – this coming Sat Nov 4, 2023 – 8AM-10AM (approx.)

Just a reminder that now that the irrigation season has ended, there will be a water outage for the Osoyoos Irrigation District (OID) on Saturday November 4. This is the day for our annual cleaning of the reservoir before we change over to well water. The reservoir must be empty for it to be cleaned, so after filling the reservoir on Friday evening (November 3), the lake pumps will be turned off, likely around 7PM. Once the reservoir and pipes are empty (as water continues to be used following this shut-off), there will be no further water until the pumps are turned back on after the cleaning has been completed. We anticipate that the work will be done by 10AM, although it may take slightly longer.

Note that although we are changing to using well water for the winter, the initial fill of the reservoir will use mainly lake water. After that (until the irrigation season starts again in early April at which time we switch back to lake water) only well water will be added to the system unless water demand exceeds what the well can supply, in which case lake water is automatically added to the system. Because of the initial fill using lake water, and the possibility that lake water will be added at other times, Interior Health requires that the boil water advisory remains in effect.

Also, please note that every time we turn the water back on after an outage, the silt in the pipes is disturbed, and may end up clogging, or at least further dirtying, any water filters you may have in place. You may be able to alleviate these effects by turning off all the water to your house at the water shut-off inside your house during the outage – say by 8AM Sat, and then turning it back on after the reservoir has been refilled, say by noon on Saturday. If possible, before you turn it back on, open an outside tap and then when you turn the water back on, let that outside tap run until the water is clear(er). If you are planning to change filters, doing so at least a day or two after the water changeover is likely to be a good plan.