Our water supply is at risk due to prolonged dry weather. Effective Friday, September 8, and until further notice, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared Stage 4 (severe) water conservation regulations for water users on the Chapman Water System. The Chapman Water System services homes and businesses in Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, and part of West Howe Sound.

Stage 4 water conservation regulations means a BAN ON ALL OUTDOOR USE OF SCRD DRINKING WATER.  This includes, but is not limited to, watering gardens and greenhouses, construction activities, road and property maintenance. Under these drought conditions, water use priorities focus on water for human health, firefighting and minimum creek flow requirements.

“Due to sustained heat and hardly any rain in the past few months, Chapman Lake levels have dropped triggering the need to start using the Chapman siphons and Edwards lake storage,” says Dean McKinley, SCRD CAO and Acting General Manager of Infrastructure Services. “This has unfortunately led us to have to make the difficult decision to move to severe water regulations.”

Commercial farms are exempt from Stage 4 water conservation regulations for food crops, for a two-week period, commencing from the first date of Stage 4 regulations, September 8 to 22. All businesses and residential properties using water indoors are encouraged to plan a water reduction strategy to reduce water consumption as much as possible during Stage 4.

The SCRD is offering a bulk water filling station, located in Langdale, to support business continuity for farm irrigation or construction projects impacted by Stage 4. Please contact 604-885-6806 or email infrastructure@scrd.ca to enquire.

“The fire danger rating is currently very high on parts of the Sunshine Coast,” says Matt Treit, Manager of Protective Services. “On behalf of all our Fire Chiefs, I ask that our community obey Stage 4 water conservation regulations to ensure we have adequate water supply in the case of wildfire on the Sunshine Coast.”

Other Water Systems

All SCRD water users on the Egmont, Cove Cay, and North Pender Harbour water systems as well as groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point, and Granthams Landing remain at Stage 1 until further notice.

The South Pender Harbour water system will continue to follow Stage 3 water conservation regulations until further notice.

For the Eastbourne water system, Stage 4 water conservation regulations have been declared.

These regulations apply to the use of SCRD drinking water not to the use of rainwater, private well water or any forms of recycled water.

Enforcement

The SCRD may proceed directly to fines without warnings for regulation violations in Stage 4 water conservation regulations. Continued non-compliance may result in multiple fines.

Staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form.

For more information, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca. Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will begin accepting applications for the 2023 Waste Reduction Initiatives Program (WRIP).

Launched in 2015, WRIP was introduced to support waste reduction and recycling priorities identified in the SCRD’s Solid Waste Management Plan.

The program has a total of $7,500 available for financial assistance to Sunshine Coast based community groups and associations, non-profit societies, registered charitable organizations, school groups from school districts 46 and 93. for projects that will reduce waste in the region. Project applications must include a plan for measuring and reporting the amount of waste diverted from the landfill.

Project categories considered for the program include:

• Community reuse and repair
• Composting
• Construction and demolition waste reduction, reuse and recycling
• Food waste reduction
• Green waste reduction
• Recycling initiatives

Applications open September 1, 2023 and all applications must be received by midnight on October 20, 2023.

Projects must be completed, including a final report, by June 30, 2024. Interim reporting, project guidelines and restrictions can be found at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/wrip. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the SCRD in advance of submitting their application to ensure that their project is eligible for funding.

Successful past projects include:

• Sunshine Coast Alternative School repurposed waste into art projects. Students learned about waste as a potential resource and community members generously donated items that would have ended up in the landfill.
• Roberts Creek Community Hall no longer needs to use one time use items like plastic forks or cups with the purchase of dishware for use during rental or events at the hall.
• Lunch waste was reduced at Langdale Elementary School with the purchase of reusable dishware for serving hot lunches.
• Kinnickinnick and Gibsons Elementary Schools tackled reducing paper towels going to the landfill by improving diversion to composting paper towels.
• Chatelech Secondary is reducing waste by moving away from one-time plastic markets by opting for refillable versions.

If you have questions about the Waste Reduction Initiatives Program, or are interested in submitting an application, please visit https://letstalk.scrd.ca/wrip email infrastructure@scrd.ca or call 604-885-6806.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is inviting community members and businesses to volunteer their time and services at the 10^th Annual Trash Bash event which takes place on Saturday, September 16.

This year, the event will focus on cleaning up illegal dump sites off roadsides and forests from Pender Harbour to Egmont.

Since the event launched in 2012, over 50 tonnes of illegally dumped material has been hauled out of forests and backroads and disposed of responsibly at the landfill. Each year, an average of 30 to 40 volunteers help clean up a different area of the Sunshine Coast. The last two events focused on Halfmoon Bay to Roberts Creek, and Elphinstone to West Howe Sound.

“This event helps keep our community free of harmful waste and brings attention to the fact that dumping waste such as garbage, hazardous waste and even green waste is illegal,” says Andrea Patrao, SCRD Solid Waste Programs Coordinator. “The materials collected each year range from garbage and scrap metal to recyclable electronics and tires.”

Pre-registration for the event is required at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/trash-bash. Complete the registration form and find out more about this event. Questions can be directed to infrastructure@scrd.ca or phone 604-885-6806.

Once registered, volunteers are asked to sign-in on September 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the Lions Park, Madeira Park, 13776 Sunshine Coast Hwy. Volunteers will be treated to a free lunch, prepared by Pender Harbour Lions Park volunteers, and will have a chance to win great prizes.

To learn more about the issue of illegal dumping and how to report dump sites in the region, the SCRD invites the public to view the “Stop Illegal Dumping” video made in partnership with the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities at www.scrd.ca/illegal-dumping.

Residents are advised to report an illegal dump site to the BC Conservation Service RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line at 1-877-952-7277 or www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/rapp.

Due to a heat warning that is in effect, airconditioned spaces are being made available for the community to take some time out of the heat.

The following locations are available.

Gibsons & Area Community Centre – 700 Park Road, Gibsons – Map
The cooling centre is located in the main lobby area.
Available from 6:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Sechelt Aquatic Centre – 5500 Shorncliffe Avenue, Sechelt – Map
The cooling centre is located in the swimming pool viewing area.
Available from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Further information on other areas to stay cool in the heat can be found here on the B.C. Provincial Government website and include shopping malls, libraries and shaded green spaces. At this link you can also find information on how to prepare your home for heat.

The community is also encouraged to check in on neighbours and friends while the heat warning is in effect.

Stay up to date with information from the SCRD at www.scrd.ca/emergency-program.

Do you know what to do during an emergency? Visit www.scrd.ca/emergency-alerts to find out.

As warm weather continues and water conservation regulations are in place, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is providing a water supply update.

Weather

On August 8 and 9, the SCRD recorded 26 mm of rainfall at Chapman Lake, while the rest of the region at lower elevations received approximately 8-9 mm. The short-term forecast this week and next is predicting increased temperatures with little precipitation which typically results in increased water use.

Chapman Water System

The Chapman Water System is currently relying mainly on supply from Chapman Lake with contributions from Church Road Well Field and Chaster Well.

While the rainfall had a positive impact on the watershed by adding more water to Chapman Creek and reducing draw from the lake, more rain is needed to recover the lake storage used so far this year. As shown on the SCRD website (www.scrd.ca/water-updates), Chapman Lake levels continue to decrease through the summer months.

Church Road Well Field Project is currently supplying 15 to 25 litres per second. This is equivalent to 1.3 million to 2.1 million litres per day. Staff will be upgrading an electrical part and working to increase water supply from this source to the Chapman Water System. Staff are working to increase production to 4.5 million as soon as possible. Water supply from Church Road diversifies the Chapman Water System supply.

Gray Creek was offline for a couple days due to recent rainfall which makes this source too turbid to meet drinking water quality guidelines. Gray Creek is now online again.

South Pender Harbour Water System

Water use in South Pender decreased in July. Thank you to the community for responding and being mindful about water use which maintains water supply and ensures total water use remains under the water licence limit.

Staff are working on options to supplement the South Pender Water System with water from Harris Lake, now and in the future. The South Pender Water System is currently following Stage 3 water conservation regulations.

Other Water Systems

Eastbourne Water System is in Stage 4 Water Conservation Regulations as of July 31, 2023. All SCRD water users on the Egmont, Cove Cay, and North Pender Harbour water systems and groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point, and Granthams Landing remain at Stage 1 until further notice.

The SCRD implements Water Conservation Regulations to ensure that water is available for community use, health purposes and fire suppression through the summer and into the fall. In 2022, water conservation regulations helped extend drinking water supply into December when there was no significant rainfall.

 Water Supply Updates

• August 10, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqfgtP6KLyY&t=2s
• August 24 will be live streamed at 9:00 a.m. and posted to the SCRD website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2HpCNdgOhQ

On August 16 at 9:00 a.m., business owners and operators can join the SCRD, the Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO) and Sunshine Coast Tourism (SCT) for a second virtual water update for local businesses using the following meeting link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82783050328?pwd=Z2JnRlZOY0JmNVlsSFFCclJRdlJnUT09

Water Conservation

Residents on the Chapman and South Pender Harbour Water System are on water systems with limited drinking water supply. Now is the time to conserve. With the provincial wide drought likely to continue in the near future, voluntary conservation measures are encouraged.

Stage 3 Water Conservation Regulations limit outdoor watering daily to one hour for trees, flowers and shrubs and two hours for food producing trees and plants, between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. must be followed. Shirley Macey Water Spray Park is closed and sports fields are no longer being irrigated.

As the Region continues to experience prolonged dry weather, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is moving to protect our water supply now and into the late summer.

Effective August 11, and until further notice, the SCRD has declared Stage 3 (Acute) water conservation regulations for water users on the Chapman water system.

All SCRD water users on the Egmont, Cove Cay, and North Pender Harbour water systems as well as groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point, and Granthams Landing remain at Stage 1 until further notice.

The South Pender Harbour water system will continue to follow Stage 3 water conservation regulations until further notice.

For the Eastbourne water system, Stage 4 water conservation regulations have been declared.

Water conservation regulations help ensure that demand does not exceed the capacity of our water supply and distribution system and ensures that there is always enough water for fire protection.

Stage 3 Watering Schedule:

 Watering Lawns:

• Not permitted.

Watering trees, shrubs or flowers:

• Watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray is not permitted.
• Watering with handheld hoses with spray trigger nozzles, hand held containers or drip-irrigation is permitted up to 1 hour per day between 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Watering food producing plants and trees:

• Watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses, or micro-spray is not permitted.
• Watering with handheld hoses with spray trigger nozzles, hand held containers or drip-irrigation is permitted up to 2 hours per day, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Exemption for Commercial Food Producing Farms: 

• Commercial farms are exempt from Stage 3 water conservation regulations for food crops.

Washing Vehicles or Boats: 

• Permitted only to wash off sea water.

Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows or exterior building surfaces:

• Not permitted except for health and safety regulations.

Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, or fountains

• Not permitted.

“Even with a forecast showing some precipitation this week, dry weather, needing to meet environmental creek flows for fish habitat, and the ongoing community demand, the water level at Chapman Lake continues to drop,” says Shane Walkey, SCRD Manager, Utility Services. “At this time, we really need residents to conserve water at every opportunity, inside and outside the home. If the dry, hot weather persists, we may be looking at a move to Stage 4 water conservation regulations and a complete ban on outdoor water use by late August or early September.”

Current levels of Chapman Lake are available at www.scrd.ca/water-updates

The SCRD is emphasizing the importance of obeying water conservation regulations to help protect the water supply in the event of wildfires here on the Sunshine Coast.

The Provincial Government recently sent a letter to the SCRD highlighting the need to conserve water as the region experiences drought Level 4 (where the maximum provincial drought level is 5). Level 4 means that adverse impacts to socio-economic or ecosystem values are possible.

ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS

The SCRD will issue warnings to properties in violation of regulations. If there is continued non-compliance, bylaw officers will issue a Bylaw Enforcement Notice and a fine of $400 for violations during Stage 3 water conservation regulations.

Staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form

For more information, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca. Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details.

Last year, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) made major changes to one of the primary planning and development bylaws in the region. This bylaw had not been changed for over 30 years! Following this work, the SCRD has kicked off major projects to further improve planning and development services on the Sunshine Coast.

At the July 27 Board meeting, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) received support from the Board of Directors to proceed with the recommendations presented in a report to improve the SCRD’s current development approval processes (DAPs).

In August of 2021, the SCRD secured grant funding from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) to support an end-to-end review of its existing DAPs. The SCRD subsequently engaged KPMG LLP in January of 2023 to review its DAPs and to provide validated recommendations for key process improvements. These recommendations were based on a review of internal procedures, bylaws, technology, engagement with the board of directors, and internal and external stakeholder interviews including with other local governments and representatives from the development industry.

“While the development approval process plays an important role in ensuring developments are healthy and safe, the need to make the process more effective, efficient and responsive to community needs was a common theme among stakeholders,” says Ian Hall, General Manager of Planning and Development.

The findings showed that SCRD processes, policies and bylaws related to development approvals that served well for the times they were created have come to a point in the asset management life cycle where a foundational overhaul is required to meet today’s needs.

KPMG worked with SCRD staff to refine and validate the findings into a focused, prioritized list of ten recommendations that take into consideration level of effort, value, and time requirement for implementation. These recommendations were further broken down into 30 achievable actions that will begin in late 2023 and be completed by mid-2025.

“The Board is pleased to endorse opportunities to help build thriving and resilient sunshine Coast communities,” says Leonard Lee, SCRD Board Chair. “We would like to thank staff and our project contributors for the significant time and energy they have dedicated to this review process.”

The DAP review fits with other major projects underway to renew land use planning on the Sunshine Coast.

First, SCRD has just initiated renewal of Official Community Plans (OCPs) for rural areas. OCPs describe the long-term vision of communities to guide future land use in the region. The SCRD has seven OCPs that range from five to 28 years old, which all require updates to meet current Provincial requirements and best practices. As the review continues, the SCRD will engage with communities in the region on the plans.

Second, a Board Policy on reviewing OCP Amendment applications is also in development. This policy is designed to be a transparency tool, with the goal of making visible the elements of applications to provide better information for the community review and decision-making process. The SCRD Board has directed this work and a follow up report is expected to the Board later this year.

And third, a Regional Growth Baseline study was completed earlier this year in partnership with District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons and shishalh Nation. The study compiles and shares information about historical, current and forecasted regional growth, consider current and future needs such as shared goals, objectives, values, servicing levels, and constraints on the land. This information can inform future regional growth discussion, OCP renewal, and other policy and bylaw updates.

For more information on the DAP review project and others, visit letstalk/planning.

The water supply from McNeill Lake is at risk due to prolonged dry weather. Effective July 14, 2023 and until further notice, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared Stage 3 (acute) water conservation regulations for SCRD water users in South Pender Harbour.

SCRD water users on the Chapman Lake and Eastbourne water systems remain at Stage 2 water conservation regulations.

Water users on the Egmont, Cove Bay, North Pender Harbour, Langdale, Soames Point, and Grantham’s Landing water systems remain at Stage 1 until further notice.

Water conservation regulations help ensure that community water demand does not exceed the volume of water available under the SCRD’s water license from McNeil Lake and that there is enough water for fire protection.

Stage 3 Watering Schedule:

WATERING LAWNS:

• Not permitted.

WATERING TREES, SHRUBS OR FLOWERS: 

• Watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray is not permitted.
• Watering with hand held hoses with spray trigger nozzles, hand held containers or drip-irrigation is permitted up to 1 hour per day between 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WATERING FOOD PRODUCING PLANTS AND TREES: 

• Watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses, or micro-spray is not permitted.
• Watering with hand held hoses with spray trigger nozzles, hand held containers or drip-irrigation is permitted up to 2 hours per day, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m..

EXEMPTION FOR COMMERCIAL FOOD PRODUCING FARMS:

• Commercial food producing farms paying a metered rate for water are exempt from Stage 3 regulations.

WASHING VEHICLES OR BOATS:

• Permitted only to wash off sea water.

WASHING SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS, WINDOWS OR EXTERIOR BUILDING SURFACES: 

• Not permitted except for health and safety regulations.

FILLING SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, GARDEN PONDS, OR FOUNTAINS 

• Not permitted.

“The current demand on the South Pender water system is at an all-time high. To ensure we only use what is permitted under the McNeill Lake water licence and help maintain supply for the remainder of the summer, we are asking South Pender Harbour residents and businesses to follow Stage 3 water conservation regulations,” says Mark Brown, Interim General Manager, Infrastructure Services. “If the current water use in South Pender continues without change, we will need to urgently move to Stage 4 (severe) water conservation regulations use.”

For more information, contact the SCRD at 604-885-6806 or infrastructure@scrd.ca. Visit www.scrd.ca/water-regulations for further details. Ever wonder where you get your water from? Visit www.scrd.ca/water-distribution to find out.

Staff do not take bylaw complaints by phone. Please submit bylaw complaints using the online form at www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form

Great news, the Church Road well pumps will be turned on soon!

On June 30, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) was given the green light (“Leave to Commence”) by the Ministry of Forests to begin operating the Church Road well, a final water license was issued by the province and all conditions have been satisfied.

Compliance monitoring of the creek is required and a contract for this work will be awarded at the July 6 Special Board meeting. SCRD is working with the prime contractor – Maycon Construction Ltd. – for substantial completion sign off by July 7.

The completion of this project will contribute up to 4.6 million litres of water per day to the Chapman water system and is a significant step forward in securing water supply for the Sunshine Coast.

During the summer months, Gray Creek is also used as a water source. Water quality testing has been completed and approved by Vancouver Coastal Health. This source will go online on July 11 and will begin to provide up to three million litres of additional water per day to the Chapman water system.

On Thursday, July 6, at a Special Board meeting, SCRD staff will provide a water supply update to the SCRD Board and to the community. The agenda and links to join virtually or watch the meeting online can be found at www.scrd.ca/agendas.