The City of Penticton is recommending farmers take extra care while watering crops this year as the city’s system struggles to keep up with turbidity in its irrigation system.
This year’s snowpacks were estimated to be around 150 per cent of the historic normal, meaning a higher-than-usual runoff this spring. That has meant the creeks that feed the city’s agricultural irrigation systems are experiencing rapid water flow, carrying more fine organics than the city’s system can keep up with.
“Under normal operating conditions, the screening process removes most particulate matter, however the current conditions have now exceeded the system’s capacity for effective performance.”
Public works manager Len Robson said in a news release the city is working to maintain the systems regularly to negate that effect.
“We are recommending that people using the agricultural water system be diligent in maintaining their onsite filtration and irrigation systems to ensure their crops are watered appropriately,” Robson said. “We ask for your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
More information can be found through the City of Penticton yards office at 250-490-2500.