New water rates for Kelowna golf courses

Kelowna Council has approved a new water rate structure for golf courses in the southeast part of the city using non-potable water for irrigation.

“The goal of the revised water structure is to ensure fairness and equity amongst city water customers,” a city news release stated. “Staff looked at other water providers in the Okanagan valley to compare what they charge golf courses for irrigation water to ensure that Kelowna is fair and competitive.”

Prior to 2018, the South East Kelowna Irrigation District billed three golf courses (Harvest, Orchard Greens and Gallaghers Canyon) using an agricultural rate structure. In 2021, the city implemented the new billing rates for non-potable irrigation supply, raising concerns from one of the three golf courses that did not have farm status. This would have resulted in an annual charge approximately seven times higher than in previous years when they were charged agricultural rates.

Council directed staff to engage with the three courses to establish a rate structure that was fair and bring that information to council for consideration in early 2022.

The non-potable golf course irrigation rates (in excess of the allotted volume for any agricultural use) are:
2022: $0.10 per cubic metre (1,000 litres)
2023: $0.15 per cubic metre
2024: $0.22 per cubic metre

The rates are only for golf courses using the non-potable irrigation system. Golf courses wanting to use potable water for irrigation would continue to be charged the commercial water rate.

The city says the phased-in rates will likely remain some of the lowest for golf course irrigation in the Okanagan.