Air Quality Information and Programs

Air Quality Health Index for Central Okanagan

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has been involved for more than a dozen years with programs designed to increase public awareness, educate and involve the public in protecting our airshed.  We have made and continue to make great strides in improving the quality of the air we all share in the Central Okanagan.  But there is more we can do as we work together! 

If you'd like to learn more about how you can help improve our air quality, please check out any of the program links below or contact Regional Air Quality Coordinator Nicole Marzinzik at 250-469-8408.

• Regional Air Quality Program initiatives and information.
• BC Air Quality Health Index website for the Central Okanagan and other BC communities
• Information on Alternatives to Burning and Outdoor Burning Options for residents of the Central Okanagan.
• Regional Agricultural Wood Waste Chipping Program
• General information on the Regional Wood Stove Change Out Program
  • 2010 Great Okanagan Woodstove Change Out Program details,
  • Poster Information
  • Participating Retailers,
  • free Wood Stove Workshop and Showcase
• Environment Canada Wood Burning Information and Videos
  (To view you may need the free Windows Media Player)
  • Residential Wood Heating webpage
  • Firewood from the forest to the shed
  • Proper Woodstove Operation
  • Advanced Woodstove Technology
• Anti- Idling Information - motorists can each help to improve our air quality and reduce health impacts by not allowing their vehicles to idle while stopped for more than ten seconds.  By not idling a light duty vehicle for just three minutes a day, at 99.9 cents/litre you'd use 25 fewer litres of fuel a year, save over $2,500 and prevent 62 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions! Check out the Individual Idling Impact Calculator.
  • BC Idle Reduction Initiative webpage
    • Take the Pledge to be Idle Free!
  • Natural Resources Canada webpage on Anti-Vehicle Idling initiatives
• Regional Scrap It Program

The Air Quality Committee was disbanded with the incorporation of the Westside District Municipality in December 2007.  Air Quality issues are now being discussed by the Governance and Services Committee.  Link to Regional Board and Committee Schedule or Governance and Services Committee webpage.

The Air Quality Committee was made up of members of the Regional Board.  When it met during 2007, Westside Director David Knowles was the Chair, while Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd acted as Vice-Chair.

The Committee was charged with the development and implementation of an Air Quality Management Plan for the Regional District of the Central Okanagan subject to Regional Board approval.  (The management plan will remain flexible and responsive to changing public priorities, to financial partnerships, to new program opportunities and to current research.)  On May 14, 2007 the Regional Board adopted the Central Okanagan Air Quality Management Plan

Public and Expert Input:  Public input was invited on appropriate issues relevant to the development of the Air Quality Management Plan. Technical, professional or expert input on specific issues was sought directly with the appropriate individuals, groups, or organizations capable of providing it.

Air Quality Plan Development Process:

• Determine the existing state and projected trends for the air quality in the Central Okanagan area.
• Determine the potential health effects related to the state and projected trends of air quality in the Central Okanagan area.
• Develop air quality management goals. Determination that the necessary authorities can be coordinated or put in place to meet air quality management goals.
• Determine the additional data requirements and research needs necessary to develop the air quality management plan including the identification of potential funding sources and undertake to secure such.
• Draft the Air Quality Management Plan and prepare implementation strategies to attain the air quality goals.
• Submit the draft plan and implementation strategies for review and approval of affected agencies.
• Finalize the plan and co-ordinate the implementation.

General Objectives of the Committee:

• Facilitate an open process of communication on regional air quality management issues among private sector, government (municipal, provincial, federal and international), non-government public interest groups and the general public.

• Establish an on-going opportunity for stakeholders to keep up to date and informed on Central Okanagan air quality management progress and on air quality initiatives being developed or implemented.

• Provide a forum for consultation partners and stakeholders to present proposed new initiatives for the purpose of review, discussion and reporting back to constituent groups.

• Provide advice and feedback among consultation partners, agency staff and stakeholders on air quality management priorities and concerns.  

Goals of the Committee: Within the Central Okanagan Region, air quality management activities are directed at achieving the following goals.

•  To ensure that citizens in the Central Okanagan have healthy air to breathe.

•   To integrate regional air quality goals into all policies, including land use & transportation planning.

•   To educate and inform communities on air quality issues.

•  To lead by example and bring about changes in behaviour as needed to protect air quality.

•  To ensure comprehensive monitoring of air quality.

•   To harmonize regional air quality initiatives with the objectives of other agencies and levels of government. 

Issues to deal with:  Air Quality Monitoring, Education and Awareness and Public Involvement including but not limited to matters such as: Fine Particulates, Ozone, Vehicle Emissions, Vehicle Numbers, Open Burning, Wood Burning Appliances, Industrial Emissions, Dust from Roads, Dust from Industry, Managing Air Quality, Co-ordination with other groups and organizations, Agency Co-operation, Episode Management, Economic Issues, Greenhouse Gas Reductions, Energy Efficiency, Integrated Land Use Planning, Transportation Planning, Total Maximum Daily Load, Emissions Inventory, Health Costs, Speciation Analysis, Dispersion Modeling, and Monitoring Progress 

(NO LONGER ACTIVE - Link to Regional Board and Committee Schedule or Governance and Services Committee webpage.)

Click here for the list of Committee Agenda
Click here for a list of approved Committee Minutes