The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has successfully completed the Chaster Well Improvement Project, restoring and significantly enhancing a key groundwater source for the Chapman Water System.

Completed in late March 2026, the upgraded well is now capable of delivering approximately 50 per cent more water at peak capacity, producing up to 1.4 million litres per day (16 litres per second). This increase strengthens the reliability of the region’s water supply, particularly during periods of high demand and drought conditions.

The Chaster Well plays an important role in the regional water system, historically supplying roughly 10 to 12 per cent of summer water demand. The well experienced a critical pump failure in August 2024, prompting urgent repair and upgrade work to restore service and improve long-term performance.

The improvements come at an important time as the SCRD continues to strengthen water supply resilience amid growing demand and seasonal water supply pressures.

During construction, contingency planning ensured that water demand could continue to be met through other sources, such as the Church Road Wellfield in the system if needed.

 For more information about regional water services and conservation measures, visit scrd.ca/water.

The campfire ban has been lifted for the Sunshine Coast effective Friday, May 15, 2026, at noon.

The campfire ban was initially implemented due to a combination of elevated wildfire risk factors. Current and forecast conditions have since shifted, bringing cooler temperatures, improved humidity values and an overall reduction in wildfire hazard throughout the Coastal Fire Centre.

Despite this, Fire Chiefs from Sunshine Coast fire departments in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Egmont are asking for extreme caution from our community should you be considering having a campfire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations.

Reminders about campfires:

1. A campfire is defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
2. Never light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly, and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
3. Maintain a fireguard around your campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, leaves, kindling, etc.) have been removed right down to the soil.
4. Never leave a fire unattended.
5. Make sure that any fire is completely extinguished, and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time

While campfires will be allowed on the Sunshine Coast, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels and burn cages. These restrictions will remain in place until October 31, 2026, or until the order is rescinded. Open burning continues to be always restricted within the Town of Gibsons.

A great resource explaining the different categories of open burning is available here online.

Please contact your local fire department for more information at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments

Fire Chiefs from Sunshine Coast fire departments in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour and Egmont are advising residents that a campfire ban will be effective 12:00 noon Thursday, May 7, 2026, across the Sunshine Coast.

In addition to this prohibition, the Coastal Fire Centre will maintain the current Category 2 and Category 3 open fire prohibitions.

This includes all fires whether for warmth or cooking and all beach fires, burning barrels, fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns. This also includes wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building.

A great resource explaining the different categories of open burning is available here online.

The campfire prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

This ban will be in place until Friday, October 31, 2026, or until the order is rescinded.

Please contact your local fire department for more information at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments

This week, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is issuing 2026 annual utility bills to property owners in Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone and West Howe Sound who receive SCRD curbside collection, water and SCRD wastewater services.

Rates reflect ongoing efforts to maintain reliable services, invest in infrastructure, and ensure long-term sustainability of water systems across the region.

Questions about your utility bill
Each year, the SCRD receives hundreds of calls and emails from the community in relation to utility bills.

Our staff aim to respond to enquiries within 72-hours. Members of the public attending the front counter at the main Field Road office may experience a delay while staff deal with other enquiries.

The SCRD has a respectful workplace policy, and the safety and wellbeing of our staff is our primary concern.  The SCRD asks that members of the community be respectful when speaking with staff.

You can also ask questions about your bill at letstalk.scrd.ca/utility-bill.

Other questions
Information on options to pay monthly and deadlines for payments will be available on the bill. You can also check out the frequently asked questions that are listed at www.scrd.ca/utility-bill.

Volumetric Billing
In your utility bill, you will find an insert with information on volumetric billing. This is a new way of billing for water that will be introduced for customers on the Regional Water Service in 2027. You can learn more about this project at letstalk.scrd.ca/water-billing.

North and South Pender Harbour residents received their first volumetric bill earlier this month. Further information can be found here.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be testing the emergency alert system for the Region on May 7 at 10:00 a.m. PT.

If you are signed up for alerts with the SCRD’s emergency alert system (Voyent Alert!), you will receive a TEST alert. Users who have subscribed to have alerts sent to their cellphones will hear a loud alert sound like THIS.

Voyent Alert! allows residents, businesses and visitors to receive messages through an app, text message, voice call or email for critical and emergency events such as earthquakes, fires and flooding events.

During the test, subscribers will receive on their mobile, voice call or email the following message:

“This is a TEST of the Sunshine Coast Regional District Emergency Alert System. This is ONLY a TEST. If this had been an actual emergency or threat, you would now see or hear instructions with information to help keep you safe. For further information go to scrd.ca/alert-system.  This is ONLY a TEST, no action is required.”

A user can subscribe to receive alerts from the SCRD for multiple locations including home, school and work. Information included in the alert sent to users can include maps, images, messages and web links to better assist the community prepare and respond to emergency situations.

Learn more about the alert system and sign up at www.scrd.ca/alert-system.

Each year, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) brings in Stage 1 water conservation regulations on May 1. With a low snowpack and hot weather forecasted through the spring and summer, water regulations are more important that ever to secure water supply into late summer and early fall.

The regulations outlined below apply to all SCRD water customers on the Sunshine Coast. If you live in the Town of Gibsons, please visit www.gibsons.ca for water conservation regulations in that water service area.

Regulations define the types of watering and separate plants into three categories: lawns; trees, shrubs, and flowers; and food producing plants. Watering schedules can vary in different water systems across the region.

Stage 1 Watering Schedule

Watering Lawns

Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro spray can be used to water lawns according to the Stage 1 schedule which is:

• For even numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• For odd numbered addresses, lawn sprinkling is allowed on Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Watering trees, shrubs, flowers and food producing plants

Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro spray can be used to water trees, shrubs, flowers and food producing plants and trees according to the Stage 1 schedule:

• For even numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from
• 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• For odd numbered addresses, sprinkling is allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

During Stage 1 water conservation regulations, handheld hoses with nozzles, handheld containers, or drip-irrigation can be used anytime for watering lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or food producing plants and trees.

Rain sensors are required on all irrigation systems to prevent watering in the rain.

Other uses of water

Pressure washing sidewalks and driveways, windows or exterior building surfaces is permitted only during Stage 1.

“Snowpack is an important indicator for our summer water supply, but it’s only one piece of the picture,” says Remko Rosenboom, General Manager, Infrastructure Services. “While coastal snowpack is below normal in parts of southern BC, the timing of any move to Stage 2 water conservation regulations will depend on spring weather, rainfall, and seasonal forecasts. With warmer conditions expected and uncertain precipitation, we’re closely monitoring conditions and using all available tools to guide our decisions.”

Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.

A reminder that staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form. Please note that anonymous or third-party complaints will not be accepted.