The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), along with other local governments on the Sunshine Coast are working on several projects to increase water supply.
This is the December update on projects and initiatives underway in the Region. Previous month’s updates can be found at www.scrd.ca/news.
Projects
Water Meter Program
The residential portion of the water meter installation program has been underway for ten months in the District of Sechelt. This project will see over 4,000 meters installed by next year. Once in place, these meters will greatly assist with leak detection in the system and will also provide the community with valuable information about their own water use.
To date, over 3,000 water meters have been installed. You can learn more about this project at letstalk.scrd.ca/water-metering
Groundwater wells – Sechelt
The SCRD has initiated another phase of groundwater investigations to explore the feasibility of supplementing the Chapman Water System with a new groundwater source or reducing the demands on that system by creating dedicated sources for recreational facilities.
This investigation focuses on the Sechelt area, with multiple identified sites where test wells will be drilled and two additional sites where established wells are located.
Pump tests have been completed at three locations to date; Cliff Gilker Park, the Sunshine Coast Arena and Sechelt Airport . These tests will establish whether there is enough yield from these wells for community consumption.
One more well will be drilled in early January at the Sechelt Hospital. The initial findings during the drilling of these wells will guide which of the remaining wells could benefit from additional pump testing. If the test results of these wells are favourable, and if the required funding is secured, the next phase would be applications for license(s), design, engineering and permitting of production wells in the chosen location(s).
Stay informed on this project at https://letstalk.scrd.ca/groundwater.
Lower Crown Raw Water Reservoir
A decision is still pending on grant applications under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) for funding of the construction costs for this project. If funding confirmation is received, the SCRD Board and the service participants will be engaged to determine if this project will proceed.
Gray Creek
A report on the potential for Gray Creek to be used as a year-round water source will be provided to the SCRD Board in early 2025.
SCRD Staff brought forward a budget request for the design of a treatment plant at Gray Creek during Round 1 Budget discussions. You can find further information on that by clicking here and scrolling to item number two in the chart.
Langdale Well Field
Following SCRD Board direction, a report on the Langdale Well Field was brought forward to the SCRD’s Committee of the Whole in mid-December. This report included a comparison of different options for the well’s production capacity, pump design, pipeline route, and water treatment needs, looking at the costs and benefits of each. The report can be read by clicking here.
The SCRD Board will further discuss the development of the Langdale Well Field during Round 2 Budget discussions in mid-January.
Environmental Flow Needs (EFN)
The SCRD releases water from Chapman Lake into Chapman Creek to ensure that there are 200 litres of water in the lower reaches of the creek to maintain the health of the ecosystem. This is provided in addition to the water for community use.
The shíshálh Nation is collaborating with the SCRD and the Provincial Government to confirm if the EFN can be reduced without impacting the salmon populations in 2025 and 2026.
Siphons
While siphons were not required for water supply in summer 2024, the SCRD had received approval from the shíshálh Nation to use the siphons at Chapman and Edwards Lakes until early fall 2025. The provincial permits for their use in 2025 are currently being sought. The SCRD is continuing to work on securing long-term support for the use of these siphons from the shíshálh Nation and the Province.
North and South Pender Harbour Areas
Vital safety upgrades have now been completed at McNeil lake dam. This will increase the dam’s resiliency and bring it into compliance with provincial regulations.
Work continues at the Cove Cay water system with a contractor retained to complete the design and construction of an upgraded treatment process for the water treatment plant in that water system.
There are also two projects approved by the Board to support water supply for the South Pender Water System. A study to confirm the necessity and feasibility of several options to improve water supply for the system and a study to confirm the potential to connect the North Pender and South Pender Water Systems. This project will be undertaken in 2025.
Budget 2025
Several other projects are being brought forward through the SCRD’s budget process for water services in the region. You can find information on these projects via the links below.
Water Map Resource
The SCRD has developed a map to show where water projects are taking place on the Sunshine Coast. The map can be found here. Users can click on any of the locations / icons on the map and learn about each project. This information will be updated as the projects progress.
You can learn more and ask questions at any time about water projects under way in the region at letstalk.scrd.ca/water.
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