Okanagan orchardists propose aquifer wells

Amid an unprecedented drought in the North Okanagan, Canada — Greater Vernon Water has imposed Stage 3 restrictions, reducing agricultural water allocation by 70%. Orchardists David Geen and John Byland proposed drilling three wells into the under-allocated Coldstream aquifer to keep their orchards alive and reduce pressure on the Duteau reservoir system. The Canada — Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) supported the proposal, and a motion by Tom Ouchi will go before the Canada — Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) board on July 22. The wells, to be drilled at the proponents' risk starting July 13, would be transferred to Canada — Greater Vernon Water at cost by November 2027. Local farmers like Rachelle Zelaney of Zelaney Farms and Davison Orchards expressed support, noting the economic and food security risks of further restrictions.