About Us

Who We Are

“Providing leadership to protect and enhance quality of life in the Okanagan Basin through sustainable water resource management.”

The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) was initiated in 1968 (legislated in 1970) as a water governance body tasked with identifying and resolving critical water issues at the scale of the Okanagan watershed. The Board of Directors includes representatives from the three Okanagan regional districts, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the Water Supply Association of BC and the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council – a multi-stakeholder group established by the Board to provide independent science-based advice on water issues. The OBWB strives for consensus decisions and Directors have equal-weighted votes. Programs are supported through tax assessments on lands within the Okanagan watershed. Our vision is to have a fully-integrated water system, meeting the needs of residents and agriculture while supporting wildlife and natural areas.

The Board's jurisdiction is defined by the borders of the Okanagan watershed, or basin, rather than by political boundaries. The basin is almost 200 km long and 8,000 km2 in area.  It is a narrow strip stretching from the City of Armstrong to the US border that includes the six main lakes – Okanagan, Kalamalka, Wood, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos – and surrounding mountains. 

What We Do

The objects and purpose of the OBWB are outlined in our Supplementary Letters Patent.

The overall objective of the organization is to undertake strategic projects and programs at the Basin scale that meet the collective needs of Okanagan citizens for long-term sustainable water supplies while supporting the capacity of member jurisdictions to meet their own water management goals.

The OBWB provides the following essential functions:

• Implementing basin-wide programs for watermilfoil control, wastewater infrastructure funding, and water research and management – benefiting all Basin residents
• Advocating and representing local needs to senior government planners and policy makers – protecting Okanagan interests
• Providing science-based information on Okanagan water to local government decision makers and water managers – for sustainable long-term planning
• Communicating and coordinating between government, non-government, universities and businesses – increasing the effectiveness of water projects and research
• Building funding opportunities by providing leverage grants, securing external dollars and identifying cost-sharing partners – expanding local capacity

Download the Okanagan Basin Water Board Brochure - 1.8MB PDF