As water conservation regulations end for all water systems in the Region, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is providing an update on water projects as we enter the winter months.

Summer Drought Response Plan

In May, the SCRD began its annual Drought Response Plan (DRP). This plan outlines actions to be taken on all SCRD water systems through the summer months to secure water supply for residents. The following is a snapshot of this summer’s DRP.

Chapman Water System
The focus for the Chapman Water System was to ensure that as much water as possible remained in both Chapman and Edwards Lakes to be available for use in late summer. The SCRD achieved this primarily by utilizing the new Church Road Well and supply from Gray Creek. After weeks of drought conditions in the Region, the Chapman Water System entered Stage 4 water conservation regulations in September for 21 days.

Service from the Church Road Well Field assisted through the summer and helped to prevent a prolonged period of Stage 4 water conservation regulations. This well field, in addition to a water supply agreement with the Town of Gibsons and the installation of the water meters in the Sechelt area will further help secure future water supply.

North Pender Water System
As has been the case in previous years, the North Pender Water system remained at Stage 1 water conservation regulations through the summer.

South Pender Water System
This summer, the South Pender Water System entered an extended period of Stage 3 water conservation regulations. This was likely due to two main factors.

• McNeil and Harris lakes were still suffering the effects of drought from summer 2022. They did not recharge as quickly as they have done in the past after rainfall. The SCRD will monitor these lakes, and the changes being experienced as plans are put in place for next summer.
• Water use was very for high for some properties through the summer. The SCRD made direct contact with property owners who were using high volumes of water and saw some reduction after residents were made aware of just how much water they were using.

Due to the uncertainty on how climate change will affect water supply, as well as the unknowns of how the system will recharge, residents on the South Pender Water System should be prepared for similar water conservation regulations next summer.

Eastbourne Water System
Just this week, the Eastbourne Water System came off of Stage 4 water conservation regulations. Again, the SCRD has seen changes in how the aquifer that feeds this system has recharged through the summer months.

Ongoing Projects

Several projects are underway to secure water supply for the Sunshine Coast.

Water Meter Installation Project
The installation of water meters in the Sechelt area has begun. The project is focused on the retrofit and replacement of existing meters for the rest of this year with the wider residential and business installation project set to begin in March (weather depending). Further information about this project can be found here. 

Lower Crown Raw Water Reservoir
The SCRD and shíshálh Nation have jointly applied for funding for two water reservoirs and upgrades to the Chapman Water Treatment Plant through the Government of Canada Disaster Mitigation Adjustment Fund. It is anticipated that decisions on funding will take several months. In the meantime, shíshálh Nation has requested immediate funding for the Lower Crown Reservoir from the Province of BC which could expedite work on this project.

SCRD and shíshálh Nation have begun working together on the many tasks associated with this project to ensure we are well positioned to proceed once Board approval and funding confirmation are in place. A recent report to the SCRD Board outlined steps taken to date on this project. The report can be found here. SCRD staff are evaluating this project along side the ongoing raw water reservoir project that had been undertaken above the Sechelt Airport.

Langdale Well Field
The two test wells have been completed at the Langdale Well Field. A draft plan for construction of these well fields has been completed and will be presented to the Board at the November 9, Committee of the Whole meeting. During testing, the water supply from these wells was quite considerable and adding them to the Chapman Water System would further diversify our water supply.

Eastbourne Groundwater Development
Pump tests on three test wells on the Eastbourne Water System were completed in February.  This project aims to provide a year-round sustainable water service for residents on this water system located on a portion of Keats Island. A report, outlining next steps and recommendations to the Board will be discussed this Thursday, October 26, at the SCRD’s Committee of the Whole. You can read the report here.

Garden Bay Water Treatment Upgrade
The feasibility study for this upgrade has been completed. Upgrades are necessary at Garden Bay due to water quality issues and to ensure that the highest standards of quality drinking water are met. The cost of an upgrade could be up to $9 million. SCRD staff are considering next steps.

“What is outlined in this release is just a snapshot of the work being done to secure water supply on the Sunshine Coast,” says SCRD Board Chair Leonard Lee. “This summer, we have seen other jurisdictions in our province grapple with water supply issues for the first time, on many occasions they reached out to SCRD staff for advice. What we know is that decisions made by our previous and current Boards to diversify our water supply are coming to fruition as we see the impact of climate change on our water systems.”

Stay up to date with water projects and ask questions at any time at www.scrd.ca/letstalk

Effective immediately, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared an end to water conservation regulations in the South Pender and Eastbourne Water Systems.

Residents are asked to please inform neighbours and friends who do not access information online about the changes.

Due to the recent heavy rain events, McNeill lake in South Pender Harbour has recovered, and the Eastbourne Water System aquifer that supplies water for residents on the east side of Keats Island has completely recharged.

Learn more about water conservation regulations at www.scrd.ca/water-regulations

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is celebrating the success of its 10^th Annual Backroad Trash Bash, which took place on Saturday, September 16.

Thirty-nine volunteers gathered to clean up trash illegally dumped at 23 sites from Middle Point in Pender Harbour to Egmont.

Volunteers included community residents, members of Sunshine Coast Off-Road Club, and representatives from AJM Disposal, BC Natural Resources Office, BC Conservation Service, Salish Soils and the SCRD.

Special thanks to the Pender Harbour Hikers and Pender Harbour Lions Park for helping to set up the event, Don White for donating time and heavy machinery, and to sponsors RONA Madeira Park Store, IGA Madeira Park, and Kleindale Supply LTD for donating volunteer supplies.

This year, 4,830 kilograms of illegally dumped waste was collected by community volunteers. Materials found at the dump sites included wood waste, tires, electronic waste, furniture, appliances, metal, and household garbage.

“We are thrilled with the excellent turn out and community spirit at this year’s event and are grateful for everyone’s hard work cleaning up the illegal dump sites,” says Andrea Patrao, SCRD Solid Waste Programs Coordinator. “It is events like this that help create cleaner, safer, healthier, and more vibrant communities for our residents and businesses.”

If an illegal dump site is found, please report it to the Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277 or online https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/.

To learn more about the Backroad Trash Bash, visit letstalk.scrd.ca/trash-bash.

For information on how to clean up an illegal dump site year-round in our region, visit www.scrd.ca/illegal-dumping.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is cautiously moving to Stage 1 Water Conservation Regulations in the South Pender Water System.

While water sources in the area are recharging slowly, the SCRD is confident that with more rain expected in the areas of Harris and McNeil Lakes, water conservation regulations can be scaled back to Stage 1 at this time. Staff will monitor water supply and community demand with a view to changing water conservation regulations if required.

The Eastbourne Water System will remain on Stage 4 Water Conservation Regulations. The aquifer that supplies water for residents on Keats Island has not recharged. The SCRD will provide updates on Eastbourne through the community and online channels including the SCRD website and social media.

A water supply update will be provided to the SCRD’s Committee of the Whole on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and can be viewed on the SCRD’s YouTube Channel. The update will also be posted to www.scrd.ca/water-updates on Thursday afternoon.

Learn more about water conservation regulations at www.scrd.ca/water-regulations

Recent rain has allowed for further changes to water conservation regulations on the Sunshine Coast. 

Effective immediately, there are no water conservation regulations in effect for the following water systems:

• Chapman Water System
• Egmont
• Cove Cay
• North Pender Harbour
• Langdale
• Soames Point
• Granthams Landing

Chapman Lake, September 30, 2023

The South Pender Water System will remain on Stage 3 water conservation regulations at this time. The area has still not received enough rain to change water conservation regulations. Staff are continuously assessing supply and demand on this system and further updates will be provided early next week. 

The Eastbourne Water System must remain at Stage 4 at this time. This area has also not received a significant amount of rainfall and the systems have not recharged sufficiently to drop any water conservation regulations. 

“As with many other communities in the Province, this year we saw a significant period of drought on the Sunshine Coast, which is unfortunately becoming our new normal,” says SCRD Chair Leonard Lee. “While the Church Road Well Field and installation of water meters will help to secure our water supply, we need to focus on water conservation through the summer. Whether it’s looking at efficiencies within your home or making your garden tolerant to drought, small changes can make a big difference to our water supply.”

There is lots of great information and advice on water conservation, both inside and outside of the home at www.scrd.ca/water 

Learn more about water conservation regulations at www.scrd.ca/water-regulations

Effective immediately, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has declared an end to Stage 4 water conservation regulations on the Chapman Water System.

Residents are asked to please inform neighbours and friends who do not access information online about the changes.

The South Pender Water System will remain on Stage 3 water conservation regulations. Staff are constantly reassessing these regulations and updates will be provided when available. Unfortunately, the area has not received the amount of rain required to scale back water conservation regulations at this time.

The Eastbourne Water System remains at Stage 4 and there is no change to Egmont, Cove Cay, North Pender Harbour and groundwater sources in Langdale, Soames Point, and Granthams Landing which all remain at Stage 1.

“Thankfully, this has been a shorter period at Stage 4 water conservation regulations than past years on the Chapman Water System,” says SCRD Chief Administrative Officer Dean McKinley. “I want to commend our staff for their forward thinking and innovation in the early Summer months which played a significant role in maintaining water supply in Chapman Lake.”

A water supply update will be provided to the SCRD Board tomorrow (Thursday, September 28) during the Committee of the Whole meeting which begins at 9:30 a.m. You can watch this update via the SCRD’s YouTube channel. The update will also be posted on www.scrd.ca tomorrow morning.

Learn more about water conservation regulations at www.scrd.ca/water-regulations

After significant rainfall on the Sunshine Coast, local fire chiefs, in consultation with the Provincial Coastal Fire Centre have lifted the campfire ban for the Region.

While campfires are once again allowed, backyard burning is still prohibited until mid-October.

“We have seen the destruction that wildfires have brought to other parts of our Province this summer. On behalf of the fire chiefs and the Sunshine Coast Emergency Program, we appreciate the diligence shown by residents these past few months,” says Gibsons Fire Chief Rob Michael. “That being said, the threats associated with fire never go away so please check in with your local fire department if you have any questions about current regulations.”

Further information can be found via each fire department at www.scrd.ca/fire-departments

The evacuation alert in place for seven properties in the Clowhom Lake area has been cancelled and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is stepping down an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for this event.

B.C. Wildfire has advised that recent weather has allowed for progress to be made in fighting the Clowhom Lake Fire . The list of properties that were previously under evacuation alert can be found here.

As was stated in a news release this weekend, the BC Wildfire Service has advised those returning to properties in the area to be prepared. Roads and land may be impacted by debris and fire-damaged forest. Anyone re-entering the area should be prepared to deal with hazards including but not limited to danger trees, erosion and the impacts of rainfall as well as continuing fire operations including crew, aviation and heavy equipment work. It is also expected that low-vigor fire activity will be observed within the fire perimeter and smoke will be visible well into the Fall.

The SCRD has also stepped down the EOC for this fire event.

“We are so appreciative of the work done by the hardworking crews of the B.C. Wildfire Service in helping keep our communities safe,” says SCRD Board Chair Leonard Lee. “I would also like to commend our own staff, working in the EOC for the excellent coordination which allowed for those who could have been in harms way to safely evacuate the area.”

The SCRD utilized the Region’s emergency alert system during this event. A reminder to those living in rural areas  and municipalities to please take time to sign up to Voyent Alert. It takes a few minutes and will ensure that evacuation alerts and orders are sent directly to your chosen method of communication. Learn more at www.scrd.ca/alert-system

Finally, with significant rain events taking place, and more on the way, the SCRD is reminding residents to please take some time to clear culverts in and around your home. The graphic below shows which culverts are your responsibility.

The culverts marked “Road maintenance contractors’ responsibility” are the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Capilano Highways on the Sunshine Coast. If you have concerns about a culvert that is not on a property as shown above then contact 604-740-0667 or 604-740-8985. You can also contact your local municipality should you have concerns about blocked culverts near your residence.

The State of Local Emergency (SOLE), in place due to a wildfire at Clowhom Lake has been cancelled.

The evacuation order for seven properties in the Clowhom Lake area has been changed to an evacuation alert. Further information on properties affected by this evacuation alert, including steps that those under evacuation alert should take can be found by clicking here.

The SOLE has been cancelled due to more favorable weather conditions and operational progress made by the BC Wildfire Service. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is very grateful for the tireless work of the BC Wildfire Service in helping keep our communities safe.

The BC Wildfire Service has advised those returning to properties in the area to be prepared. Roads and land may be impacted by debris and fire-damaged forest. Anyone re-entering the area should be prepared to deal with hazards including but not limited to danger trees, erosion and the impacts of rainfall as well as continuing fire operations including crew, aviation and heavy equipment work. It is also expected that low-vigor fire activity will be observed within the fire perimeter and smoke will be visible well into the Fall.

The SCRD’s Emergency Operations Centre remains active to ensure prompt coordination of resources if required.

Further information on the fire can be found via the BC Wildfire Service.