After three days of budget discussions, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board will consider 90 new projects and initiatives for 2023. These new projects, combined with carry forward projects from previous years mean that 260 projects and initiatives may move forward to be actioned in 2023 once the budget is adopted in March.

The SCRD’s budget process involves four public meetings.

1. Pre-budget meeting. At this meeting, SCRD staff provide information on new budget proposals for projects and initiatives for the coming year. The SCRD Board give feedback on these proposals, including areas where they would like further information to assist with decision making for the next round of budget meetings. The SCRD Board also contemplate projects that are yet to be completed from prior years (known as carry forward projects) so that they can factor workload on staff into their decision making. These meetings took place in December 2022.
2. Round one budget meetings. At this meeting new budget proposals which are now accompanied by further information including a business case summary for the proposed project / initiative are brought forward to the SCRD Board. The SCRD Board also receive presentations from community partners for service supported by the SCRD. During this meeting, budget proposals are either deferred to another year, denied or moved ahead to round two budget discussions. At this point, projected implications around taxation for the community are also presented to the Board. These meetings took place last week. You can watch the meetings here on the SCRD’s YouTube channel and download the full agenda package for the meetings here.
3. Round two budget meetings. Budget proposals that were not fully approved at round one are brought forward and a final decision is made as to whether or not they are to be incorporated into the financial plan for the upcoming year. Projected implications for taxation are again presented to the Board. The Round 2 meetings have been rescheduled from February 21-22 to March 2 to allow the Board more time to review Budget related impacts to taxation.
4. Adoption of financial plan. Following budget meetings, the financial plan – incorporating all projects and initiatives that have been moved through and discussed at the budget meetings is adopted by the SCRD Board. The budget adoption is due to take place on March 23.

The main drivers for taxation increases in this year’s budget are:

• Over $5.3 million dollars for the Regional Water Service which will include the replacement of the ultraviolet treatment system at Chapman Water Treatment Plant.
• Over $5 million dollars of investment in recreation facilities which will include a roof replacement for the Gibsons and Area Community Centre.
• Additional resourcing requests due to potentially 260+ projects moving forward into 2023.
• As with governments across the Province, the SCRD is also experiencing increased cost in operations and maintenance for all the services it provides.

Preliminary Property Tax Rates

After Round One Budget, the following are the preliminary average SCRD tax rates area per $100,000 of assessed value of homes.

The figures below are not final and only cover the SCRD portion of your tax bill. More detailed information on each of the taxation areas below will be available in the updated SCRD Financial Plan prior to Round Two Budget.

Calculating the preliminary SCRD portion of your tax bill

You can calculate the preliminary 2023 SCRD portion of your tax bill in three steps:

1. Take the assessed value of your home which can be found here at BC Assessment.
2. Divide the assessed value of your home by $100,000.
3. Multiply that figure by the 2023 preliminary amounts outlined above based off of your Electoral Area or Municipality.

For example: If your home is worth $800,000 and the preliminary 2023 SCRD tax rate is $200 then the SCRD portion of your tax bill would be 8 x $200 = $1600.

Information Sessions. In-person and Virtual

On Monday February 13, 2023, SCRD staff and directors will take part in information sessions for the budget. Times and dates for these sessions are below along with links to join the meetings.

At 12:00 noon on Monday, February 13, the community is welcome to join an information session in-person from the SCRD Boardroom at 1975 Field Road, Sechelt. If you would rather join this session virtually, you can do so by clicking here.

Later that evening, SCRD staff and directors will host another information session, this time virtually at 6 p.m. You can join this session by clicking here.

Stay up to date with the budget and ask questions at any time at letstalk.scrd.ca/budget.

After periods of significant rainfall over the past two months, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has lifted Stage 1 water conservation regulations on the Chapman Water System.

SCRD staff continue to monitor creek flows and snowpack in the Chapman Watershed. The extended drought period, followed by freezing temperatures at Chapman Lake, added a level of uncertainty and unpredictability for water supply in the fall and winter months. Staff visited Chapman Lake last week, and along with creek flow data, have determined that there is sufficient water supply to lift all water conservation regulations at this time.

The SCRD’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has also been stepped down. In the coming weeks, staff will complete tasks from the EOC and are integrating learnings from the past year into our emergency response plans.

Some pictures taken last week at Chapman Lake are below.

Water Projects

Three major projects will move forward this year to assist with water supply for the Chapman Water System. These include:

Church Road Well Field

Pump tests are continuing at the Church Road Well Field as staff look to bring the well online. There have been significant delays due to unforeseen supply chain issues. This project will add up to five million litres of water per day to the Chapman Water System.

Water Meter Installation in Sechelt

SCRD staff anticipate that a contractor will be in place by late March to install about 4,800 water meters in Sechelt. This project is a high priority and will help increase water awareness and efficiency amongst all SCRD water users. Further information will be shared when available.

Langdale Well Field

Contractors will be on-site near the Langdale Ferry Terminal throughout February. The work will include pump tests to better understand the aquifer and to estimate the potential well capacity.  The results from the wells have been favourable, and the SCRD will soon begin the water licence application process.

“I want to once again thank our community for conserving water these past few months, your contributions helped secure water supply on the Chapman Water System,” says SCRD Board Chair Leonard Lee. “Our staff are hard at work on projects to further diversify our water supply as we prepare for any further impacts of climate change and likely associated drought conditions on the Sunshine Coast this summer.”

Stay up to date on water projects at letstalk.scrd.ca/water

This past year showed how the climate crisis affects day to day life on the Sunshine Coast. High summer temperatures, damage due to storms and a record-breaking drought period that resulted in a State of Local Emergency, the climate emergency needs our response – now.

So what can be done in the face of this climate emergency? This is where the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) wants to hear from you.

The SCRD is leading the creation of a new regional Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) to reduce emissions and enhance our region’s resiliency to the effects of a changing climate, and we need our community to help build the plan.

The SCRD recently completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and found that emissions have increased by 7.2% since 2007. Emissions mostly came from transportation (48%), industry and construction (30%), and residential buildings (mostly from home heating) (10%).

A climate risk assessment has also been done for the community. The findings show that there are significant risks to public health, essential infrastructure and homes from extreme weather events, and increasing risk of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem damage from rising sea levels and warmer temperatures both on land, and in the ocean.

The Community Climate Action Plan is a multi-year project. Today, we need your input on a questionnaire so that we can get a sense of the work and initiatives that the community would like to see being brought forward as the plan comes together.

Respond to the questionnaire at letstalk.scrd.ca/climate. On this community page you can find out more about the project and have a chance to provide feedback and ideas. It will take you less than ten minutes to complete the questionnaire which closes on Monday, February 27. Your responses will help form a plan that will be integral to how our region responds to the climate emergency.

Watermain replacements at Reed & Henry Road will result in minor traffic disruptions for the next four weeks.

The work will begin on Monday, January 23 and weather permitting, is expected to last up to four weeks. The work will involve excavation and installation of new waterline along the shoulder of Henry Road and will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

There will be lane closures on both Reed Road and Henry Road for the duration of the work. In addition, water service interruptions for residents in the area are expected in late February as the work concludes. This service interruption will be communicated ahead of time via www.scrd.ca and the SCRD’s Facebook Page.

A map of the affected area is below.

As summer approaches, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) understands that water is top of mind for our community. To better inform residents, the SCRD is providing this update on water supply projects that are underway.

Getting Ready for Summer

This 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. With some of the water sources outlined below supplementing water supply, the focus for the SCRD will be on retaining as much water as possible in our main water sources, Chapman and Edwards Lakes for community use through late summer and early fall.

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.

Below are projects, both short-term and long-term that the SCRD is working on right now to secure water supply for this summer and increase water supply in the coming years.

• Short-Term

Church Road Well Field Project

This project has been underway for the past year and initially, will provide upwards of three million litres of water per day to users on the Chapman Water System. Staff are currently working on two main priorities related to this project.

1. The potential supply from this well field is up to 4.6 millions litres per day. Through testing, the SCRD has determined that pumps currently in place at this well field will provide roughly three million litres per day. The SCRD is working to have larger pumps installed by June which would allow for more water to be drawn from the well field. Even if the larger pumps cannot be installed in the coming weeks, this well field is anticipated to be online and available for use by June.
2. Water licence. The SCRD currently has a conditional water licence that outlines requirements that need to be met before it can receive its final water licence. The SCRD’s consultant has been collecting Soames Creek flow and fish habitat survey data and will be providing this information to the Provincial Government in the next month for their review. A meeting has been scheduled with the Provincial Government to ensure the data is sufficient to obtain the final water licence before June 1.

Church Road Well Field Pumphouse

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 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.

Staff have been reviewing options to ensure that Gray Creek can be a more reliable water source. This could include the installation of a portable treatment plant at Gray Creek.

Town of Gibsons Water Supply

The SCRD and the Town of Gibsons are working on an agreement that would allow for the Town of Gibsons to supply water to the Chapman Water System earlier than past summers. Usually, this supply method is used on an emergency basis however being able to use this supply earlier in the summer months would allow more water to be retained at Chapman and Edwards Lakes.

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 applied to the Provincial Government to reduce the amount of water that is required for EFN. A reduction in this EFN would allow for more water to be stored at Chapman Lake and Edwards Lake.

Infrastructure

During last year’s record-breaking drought, the Chapman Water Treatment plant was close to shutting down on several occasions. This was due to there not being enough water running through the plant to keep it operational. Thanks to the incredible work and creative thinking of SCRD staff, the plant continued functioning throughout the drought period. This year, staff will install pumps which will allow for the plant to function with less water passing through it. This reduces the potential need for any plant shutdown to take place.

Staff will also recalibrate all monitoring equipment that tracks water coming from sources, through the treatment plant and out to the community. This important data contributes to decision making for calling water conservation regulation stages.

 Siphons at Chapman Lake

 Siphons (pictured) at Chapman Lake are still in place and ensure that water can be accessed from the lake when the channel that brings water from the lake runs dry. These siphons are very effective and do not cause air or noise pollution at the lake. The siphons can be operated on an emergency basis during Stage 4 Water Conservation Regulations.

Siphons at Chapman Lake

High Users

Last month, the SCRD issued letters to 515 metered households that used the most water this past summer. In some cases, hundreds of thousands of litres of water per month. These households were informed of an immediate need to plan for summer and to reduce their use.

• Long-term projects

Water Meter Project

The project to install water meters in the Sechelt area is moving forward, with a contract for the installations due to be awarded in the coming weeks. In addition, the SCRD is awaiting further information on a six-million-dollar grant application for this project. Further information, including a timeline for installation of the water meters will be available after the contract has been awarded by the SCRD Board.

Raw Water Reservoir

 The SCRD is moving ahead with important analysis of a site for a potential water reservoir. This site, known as “Site B,” is located above the Sechelt Airport. Work underway through April includes geotechnical drilling to determine the potential for this area to be used as a reservoir.

Langdale Well Field

Testing of two production sized test wells at Langdale Well Field has been completed and results are being analyzed for both water quality and supply. Results from this well field have appeared favourable so far. Next steps will include a report for the SCRD Board, along with a design of the required pump house building at the site. Staff will then prepare water licence applications for the Provincial Government.

Work conducted at Langdale Well Field

• Additional

Water Summit

In early 2023, for the first time, a Water Summit Series was initiated to bring elected officials from local governments across the lower Sunshine Coast together. The first two meetings occurred in January and March and focused on building understanding and identifying collaborative values. The next meeting is scheduled for May to develop a vision that will lead to a broad plan of action. The plan will help advance the most impactful, efficient, and sustainable water projects.

Rainwater Harvesting Rebates

The SCRD offers rebates to residents who wish to install rainwater harvesting systems on their properties. Rebate are offered for larger capacity storage systems due to these systems being more effective than smaller rain barrels in supplying water during periods of drought.

Already this year, over $19,000 worth of rebates have been per-approved for residents. The SCRD has provided 183 rebates since the program began in 2018. Learn more at https://www.scrd.ca/rainwater.

Upcoming Meetings

On Thursday, April 6, 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 scenarios 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.

Due to an issue with the sprinkler system, the pools and hot tub at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre are closed at this time.

This morning, a sprinkler head broke at the facility, causing build up in the sprinkler system to flow out over the hot tub area. No one was using the hot tub at the time this occurred. A news release was issued about corrosion in the sprinkler system when it initially came to staff attention in late 2021.

Since the issue with corrosion was identified, a temporary heat detection system was installed at the facility. A budget for the replacement of the sprinkler system has been approved by the SCRD Board and staff are currently in the process of securing a contractor to complete this work. Staff will continue to monitor the sprinkler system at this time.

The two pools at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre may potentially reopen later today. The hot tub is anticipated to be out of use for the coming days. Residents are asked to stay tuned to the SCRD on Facebook and to www.scrd.ca for updates.

Updates on all of the above will be provided when available. The SCRD is very appreciative of the understanding of patrons who had to leave the pool area when the issue occurred.