As the weather warms up and the Region enters water conservation regulations, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is providing an update on water projects.

Getting Ready for Summer

In the last update at the end of March, the SCRD outlined the priority for this summer being retaining as much water as possible in our main water sources, Chapman and Edwards Lakes for community use through late summer and early fall.

Since this last update, as with many other jurisdictions in the Province, Stage 1 Water Conservation Regulations have been implemented. A mailout has also gone to homes on the Sunshine Coast with advice on how residents can get ready for summer.

The SCRD is preparing for similar drought periods as the past two years. This means little to no rainfall with extended (100+ days) of drought. If we have a significant drought, then Stage 4 Water Conservation Regulations (complete ban on outdoor water use) will be in place at some point this summer.

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. As we have seen from this past year, these regulations helped extend water supply into December.

An update on water projects can be found below.

Church Road Well Field Project

This project has been underway for the past year and has the potential to provide 4.6 million litres of water per day to users on the Chapman Water System. The well field is anticipated to be complete and available for use in June. The following are the priorities for this project:

1. The SCRD has secured larger pumps which will allow for a larger quantity of water to be drawn from the well field rather than the pumps that are currently in place. These pumps are due to be installed in the coming week and tested through late May.
2. Water licence. The SCRD continues to collect Soames Creek flow and fish habitat survey data for Provincial Government review. This is one of the critical pieces of missing information that must be completed and provided as part of the water license issuance. The Province will require long-term well and stream monitoring to be continued after the water licence is issued.

Soames Creek Flow Monitoring Weir

Gray Creek

Gray Creek is used as a water source throughout the summer months and provides roughly one million litres of water to users on the Chapman Water System per day. However, when rainfall occurs, the SCRD cannot use this source. This is due to what is known as “turbidity.” Rainfall causes particles on the creek bed to mix with the water making it unsafe to drink without some form of treatment at the creek.

The SCRD is in the second year of a three-year creek flow monitoring project that is required before further steps can be taken on the installation of a treatment plant. A flow sensor has been installed and real time creek flow data is being received for creek flow monitoring purposes. The installation of the treatment plant at this location would ensure that Gray Creek becomes a more reliable water source throughout the year.

Town of Gibsons Water Supply

The SCRD and the Town of Gibsons are jointly developing an agreement that would allow for the Town of Gibsons to supply water to the Chapman Water System earlier than past summers.

Reduction of Environment Flow Needs

The SCRD is required to release a significant amount of water from Chapman Lake for Environmental Flow Needs (EFN). This water ensures that fish habitat and aquatic ecosystems along Chapman Creek are maintained. The SCRD has developed recommendations on the reduction of the EFN that have been submitted to the Provincial Government. The current EFN is 200 litres per second. The SCRD has requested a reduction to 160 litres per second in June and July, and a reduction to 180 litres per second in August and September.

Any reduction in EFN would be supported by a robust monitoring program.

Siphons at Chapman Lake and Edwards Lake

Siphons at Chapman and Edwards Lakes are still in place to ensure that water can be accessed from the lakes when the channels that bring water from these lakes run dry. The siphons can be operated in an emergency basis during Stage 4 Water Conservation Regulations.

Staff have submitted applications to use siphons in the lakes for 2023 and 2024. The SCRD has engaged with the shishalh Nation in this process. The applications to use siphons require approval from both the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Forests.

Water Meter Project

The contract to install water meters in the Sechelt area has been awarded with work due to begin later this year. You can read more about the water meter project and the six-million-dollar grant awarded for the project here.

Raw Water Reservoir

Geotechnical drilling has been completed at a potential reservoir location near the Sechelt Airport. The SCRD’s consultant is finalizing analysis to determine the maximum and most economical footprint for a reservoir at this location. Further information on this project can be found at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/reservoir.

Langdale Well Field

Results from this well field have appeared favourable so far. Through the summer, staff will finalize a Board report outlining the potential impacts of the well field to Langdale Creek. An initial groundwater license application will be submitted to the Province this summer. A request for proposal (RFP) will be issued this summer for consultant services to complete the final design, permitting, and preparation of the new well field drawings and conveyance system.

Upcoming Meetings

On Thursday, May 11, at the Committee of the Whole meeting, SCRD infrastructure staff will provide a water supply update to the SCRD Board and to the community. This meeting will also include reports on water projects and water supply for this summer. Anyone can attend this meeting in the SCRD Boardroom at 1975 Field Road in Sechelt. Agendas and links to join virtually or watch the meeting online can be found at www.scrd.ca/agendas.

Enquiries:

Aidan Buckley,
Manager, Communications and Engagement
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca

Home Composter Rebates are back for another year. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has rebates of up to $100 available for starting or expanding home composting.

Rebates are available to homeowners all along the coast, from Egmont to West Howe Sound, including SCRD islands, as well as, District of Sechelt, shíshálh Nation Government District and Town of Gibsons. Applications will be accepted until September 1, 2023 or until funding for this year is exhausted.

Find more information at www.scrd.ca/composting including:

• Eligibility criteria,
• Application process (including forms),
• Resources for choosing a composter that fits the needs of your home, and
• How to mitigate potential wildlife interactions by composting responsibly.

Follows us on Facebook this week for daily tips and to learn more about composting at https://www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastrd.

Interested applicants must apply and be approved before purchasing a composter to receive a rebate.

Questions and completed applications should be sent to infrastructure@scrd.ca.

Learn more at http://www.scrd.ca/composting.

We are talking trash again. You know – garbage, recycling, landfills – that kind of trash.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is beginning the process of updating the Solid Waste Management Plan (the Plan), aka the roadmap of how the SCRD and member jurisdictions will manage garbage, recycling, yard and food waste programs for the next decade.

The previous 2011 Plan established goals and targets for waste reduction and supporting strategies and actions, many of which have been successfully implemented and achieved, such as organics diversion and Waste Reduction Initiatives Program. The SCRD will review the 2011 Plan, confirm guiding principles, evaluate long-term waste disposal options and financial implications.

What’s the Goal?

We want to produce less waste. In a recent report, it was found that 46% of materials in the landfill could have been recycled or composted. The regional waste disposal rate is just above the target for BC, about 421 kg per person per year. The Plan will present the programs, services, infrastructure and policies that will help us achieve this goal.

Get Involved!

Over the next two years, there will be multiple engagement opportunities for the community to provide feedback – starting now! Fill out the short feedback form to let us know what services you use, and what your priorities are as we begin this process.

A Public and Technical Advisory Committee has been established to provide input on the plan from the community and technical perspective. These meetings are public, more information can be found at www.scrd.ca/ptac

For more information on the Solid Waste Management Plan update, visit https://letstalk.scrd.ca/trash

Enquiries:
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
604-885-6800, extension 6123
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca

The connector trail at George Cormack Park that links Mintie Road and O’Brian Road is closed at this time. The lower section trail is on private property, not on SCRD owned, or operated land. Due to it being on private land, SCRD Parks has been requested to close this portion of the trail.

Staff are working to create a properly routed connection to reestablish the important community connector trail.  The project is well underway and there are several important steps that must be taken prior to the trail being reestablished.  Over the last few weeks, staff have been working closely with the shíshálh Nation and, prior to construction, must complete an archeological assessment and an environmental assessment due to the rare and sensitive ecological nature of this location.

Once the proper planning and approvals are secured, staff have a plan in place to move in and reestablish the Mintie Road connector trail.

Stay tuned to www.scrd.ca for updates.

Utility bills for 2023 are being mailed out to Sunshine Coast property owners who receive water, wastewater and curbside collection service from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).

As you will see from your bill, rates have increased. In mid-April, the SCRD Chair, Leonard Lee provided a message to the community in the Coast Reporter newspaper with some context as to why rates have gone up. This message will also be in every utility bill and can be found here on the SCRD Website.

Here is some further information about 2023 utility bills.

Rates
This year’s rates can be found at www.scrd.ca/utility-bill and at letstalk.scrd.ca/utility-bill

New way to pay
You can now pay your utility bill by visiting www.scrd.ca/pay and selecting ‘Utility Bills’ on the menu that is provided. All you need to pay is your address and a credit card.

There are several other ways to pay which are all outlined at www.scrd.ca/utility-bill.

Questions about your utility bill
Last year, more than 2,000 calls and emails were received by the SCRD from the community in relation to utility bills.

Our staff aim to respond to enquiries within 48-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. Any foul or disparaging language will not be tolerated and will result in your call being terminated immediately.

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.

Enquiries
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca

The garbage barge will be back on the water this summer for the Islands Clean Up.

Islands Clean Up is an annual residential garbage and recycling collection service for island residences on Anvil, Gambier, Keats, and surrounding islands, Thormanby, Trail, Hardy and Nelson Islands.

Seven separate events are planned through the summer months, starting with Gambier Island Flag stops on July 8 and 9 and ending with Nelson and Hardy islands on Saturday, August 19.

This year’s special items for collection include tires, batteries, household paint and propane tanks. Registration is required for special items at all events and to reserve a flag stop. Register, review schedule of events and find more information on the items accepted at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/islands-cleanup.

Enquiries:
Andrea Patrao, Solid Waste Programs Coordinator, Solid Waste Services
Sunshine Coast Regional District
Tel.: 604-885-6800
Email: andrea.patrao@scrd.ca

As part of a pilot program, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is opening an ocean plastics depot at the Sechelt Landfill on Friday, April 28. This new program is being implemented in partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization.

Through the ocean plastics depot pilot program, the SCRD will collect foam filled tires, marine rope and netting, plastic barrels, hard plastics (floats), and dock/beach foam from shoreline clean ups.

“Currently on the Sunshine Coast, there is no option for recycling ocean plastics and dock foam,” says Marc Sole, SCRD Manager of Solid Waste Services. “SCRD staff have been pursuing options to recycle ocean plastics and marine debris materials in order to help decrease the amount of plastic washing up on beaches, reduce our carbon footprint, and importantly maximize space at the landfill.”

The landfill is currently estimated to be at capacity by 2025.

Ocean plastics take up a lot of space at the landfill, particularly foam originating from docks and beach cleanups. This program will allow for these materials to be recycled instead of taking up valuable landfill space.

For example, in 2022, the SCRD accepted just under 16 tons of beach and dock foam at the landfill, which used approximately 6000 square meters of space (around three tennis courts) which is the equivalent of eight days of landfill life.

Materials collected at the landfill depot will be transported to Ocean Legacy’s marine plastic processing facility in Richmond. At the facility, the plastics are washed, dried, shredded, heated, cut, and turned into plastic pellets. These pellets are recycled into various items including non-structural lumber, benches, and boat parts. The SCRD is joining a network of four operating depots in Powell River, Ucluelet, Port McNeill, and Cumberland.

The depot will be available to small scale shoreline clean ups by residents or community groups. Those interested in using the depot will have to register beforehand by emailing infrastructure@scrd.ca. Larger scale residential, commercial or industrial dock renovations and end of life materials will not be accepted at the depot and should contact Ocean Legacy directly. The depot will be open during regular landfill operating hours.

Learn more about what is collected by visiting www.scrd.ca/ocean-depot.

Enquiries:
Aidan Buckley. Manager
Communications and Engagement
604-885-6800, extension 6123
aidan.buckley@scrd.ca

Each year, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) brings in Stage 1 water conservation regulations on May 1. After successive years of extreme drought, water regulations are more important than ever to secure water supply into late summer and fall.

The regulations outlined below apply to all SCRD water customers on the Sunshine Coast. Paper copies of these regulations have been mailed to homes and appeared in the Coast Reporter in mid-April as part of the SCRD’s “Get Ready for Summer” campaign.

Regulations define the types of watering and three separate plant categories: lawns; trees, shrubs, and flowers; and food producing plants. Watering schedules can vary in different water systems across the region.  Below are watering schedules for Stage 1.

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, flowers, shrubs and food producing plants

Sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray can be used to water trees, flowers and shrubs, and food producing trees and plants 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, hand held hoses with nozzles, hand held containers, or drip-irrigation can be used anytime for watering lawns, trees, flowers, shrubs or food producing trees and plants.

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

Other uses of water

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

“Last year the Sunshine Coast experienced a 106-day drought which, as residents are well aware brought severe water conservation regulations,” says Mark Brown, Acting General Manager of Infrastructure Services. “Now is the time to get ready for summer, look at ways you can conserve water both inside and outside of home and, of course, please follow all water conservation regulations. Regulations are in place to secure supply for our whole community.”

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

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

On Wednesday, April 26, water will be shut off at residences shown on map below in the Pender Harbour area. The shut off will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please contact 604-885-6806 if you have questions or concerns.