Strata complex bonds over reducing water use

Kelowna is known for its hot summers, but this idyllic weather also brings its fair share of challenges, as our dry climate puts pressure on our water system and the need to use water efficiently. Increasing irrigation efficiency and reducing irrigation water use can feel overwhelming but one strata complex shows what’s possible through teamwork, a willingness to learn, and a desire to be the change and contribute to a more sustainable community.

Located in the lower mission neighbourhood of Kelowna, the Meadows is a 57-unit town home strata complex situated on a large property landscaped with grass, large trees and mixed planted beds. In 2015, the homeowners in this complex made it their goal to reduce their complex’ irrigation water use. They began by eliminating cedar hedges and replacing them with low water use plants and vinyl fencing and then turned to other outdoor water saving initiatives. In 2022, Helen Raham, Program Coordinator for the Meadows’ water saving initiative, contacted Kelowna Water Smart for assistance.

Water Smart helps residents and businesses save water in Kelowna through Water Smart Assessments focused on improving irrigation efficiency, rebates, community outreach and education. Shauna Burnell, Water Smart Program Contractor, met with the Meadows’ homeowners for a free assessment of their irrigation system. Guided by the assessment’s recommendations, the Meadows strata council upgraded their irrigation controllers (with the help of a Water Smart irrigation controller rebate), added a separate water meter to track irrigation water use, and have begun a phased plan to convert the raised spray heads in all 130 beds to higher efficient micro irrigation options. The Meadows’ residents are also replacing high water use plants for lower water use plants in their landscaping beds.

“The Meadows is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when homeowners unite over a common goal,” says Shauna Burnell. “Homeowners at the Meadows were concerned about their complex’ water consumption and took action to reduce it through landscape and irrigation system changes and practicing of Water Smart principles.”
 

Meadows residents show Shauna Burnell, Kelowna Water Smart, some new drought-tolerant plantings.  

By 2023, the Meadows’ established the Irrigation Monitors program and 15 homeowners (one per building) volunteered to become irrigation monitors for specific area of the complex. In addition to mapping the location of all sprinklers, these volunteers help identify and report any sprinkler problems or coverage adjustments which can then be addressed by their landscape committee or irrigation contractor. 

While the Meadows has already made great progress in reducing their irrigation water use footprint, they are not done yet! They have begun their irrigation conversions in their mixed planting beds to better suit drought-tolerant plants, and they’ve just launched a 3-year Xeriscape Action Plan intended to convert large areas of rarely used turf to less water and labour-intensive alternatives. As if all that wasn’t enough, they recently organized and hosted an information session where they invited other stratas to learn and talk about the progress they’ve made in adapting to climate ready landscaping. 

With a warming climate and multi-year droughts becoming more frequent, water conservation efforts are truly a year-round priority. Homeowners’ water conservation efforts, both big and small, can make a huge impact in helping to ensure the well-being of our community and our environment.  

To learn more about how you can get started making water smart changes in your community, and how the City can help offset the costs with  free irrigation assessments and rebates, visit kelowna.ca/watersmart.  

This community story was made possible with contributions by Helen Raham and Shauna Burnell.