News Release
Water Supply Projects – June Update
June 26, 2024
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 June update on projects and initiatives underway in the Region. Last month’s update can be found here.
Many of these initiatives are being moved forward through a Water Supply Technical Working Group. This group meets monthly and includes representatives from the SCRD, the District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, shíshálh Nation and the Provincial Government.
New Resource
The SCRD has developed a map to show where water projects are taking place on the Sunshine Coast. The map can be found by clicking here. Users can click on any of the locations / icons on the map and learn about each project. This information will be updated as more details become available on these projects and as they progress further.
Projects
Water Meter Program
The residential portion of the water meter installation program has been underway for three 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 1400 meters have been installed. Two of these meter installations have resulted in the detection of major leaks of 3.2 million litres per month. These leaks have since been resolved.
Lower Crown Raw Water Reservoir
There is no substantial update on this project at this time. The following is the most recent update provided in May.
The feasibility of this projects project is still being confirmed in collaboration with the shíshálh Nation. With over one million dollars in grant funding from the Provincial Government, shíshálh Nation and the SCRD are confirming the technical feasibility of this project and the costs for the SCRD service participants associated with the operation of the reservoir.
A decision is pending on grant applications 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.
Environmental Flow Needs (EFN)
The SCRD releases 200 litres of water per second from Chapman Lake, into Chapman Creek to maintain the health of the ecosystem. The SCRD is awaiting approvals from the shíshálh Nation on a proposal to amend the current EFN. Should the shíshálh Nation approve the plan, it will then be submitted to the Province for their approval.
Siphons
The SCRD has received conditional approval from the shíshálh Nation to leave siphons in place at Chapman and Edwards Lakes for the coming year. An application is being submitted to the Province for continued use of the siphons.
These siphons are vital to maintain Environmental Flow Needs of Chapman Creek as well as summer water supply. They are used to access water from Chapman Lake and Edwards Lake during Stage 4 water conservation regulations.
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. This investigation focuses on the Sechelt area, with five identified sites where test wells will be drilled. Further timelines for this project are being actively developed in consultation with the shíshálh Nation
If results of test wells are favourable, the next phase would be design, engineering and permitting of production wells in the chosen locations.
North and South Pender Harbour Water Systems
There is no substantial update on these projects at this time. The following is the most recent update provided in May.
There are several projects underway in North and South Pender water service areas.
Many of these projects are focused on maintenance and replacement of water infrastructure. For example, several water main upgrades, upgrades to McNeil Lake dam and the design of a brand new water treatment plant for Garden Bay. The water main replacements could reduce water main breaks and associated leaks for both systems.
There are also two projects recently 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 begin later in the year.
You can learn more and ask questions at any time about water projects under way in the region at letstalk.scrd.ca/water.
New Dates: Information Meeting and Public Hearing
June 26, 2024
Following the postponement of Monday’s public hearing to consider Amending Zoning Bylaw No. 722.9 and 337.123, new dates are now available for both the public hearing and a public information meeting open house that will take place prior to the public hearing.
The purpose of the zoning bylaw amendments is to strengthen the protection of riparian areas (land beside freshwater) and shorelines in the Electoral Areas and update Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) bylaws to meet legislative requirements and provincial guidelines.
Get Informed – Public Information Meeting
Understanding that there is a lot of interest and questions about the proposed amendments, the SCRD will host a public information meeting prior to the rescheduled public hearing.
Date: July 4, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Sunshine Coast Regional District Boardroom, located at 1975 Field Road, Sechelt
The meeting will be hosted in an open house format, allowing participants to drop in at their convenience during the designated hours. An information station for each proposed amendment will provide an opportunity for community members to have one on one conversations with staff on these proposed changes.
It will provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions, share feedback, and gain a deeper understanding of the proposed amendments.
Respectful questions and dialogue are invited. SCRD has zero tolerance for disrespectful communication and behaviour per SCRD’s Respectful Workplace Policy.
Get Informed – Online
Residents can continue to get informed about these proposed amendments and ask questions at any time here on the Let’s Talk Platform.
Please note that the questions you ask via the Let’s Talk platform will not form part of the public record for the Public Hearing.
Rescheduled Public Hearing
The rescheduled public hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Members of the public can join virtually / online or in-person at the SCRD’s Main Administration Building on Field Road in Sechelt. Further information can be found at https://www.scrd.ca/public-hearings.
About the Proposed Amendments
- To date, the amendments have been referred to the Advisory Planning Commissions (APC) and relevant agencies, an APC workshop was delivered, and the bylaws have passed first and second readings. Staff reports are posted on the Let’s Talk page.
- Two of the three proposed amendments are housekeeping amendments which seek to bring SCRD bylaws into alignment with Provincial legislation, regulations, and guidelines.
- The third amendment is not required for legislative alignment, however, is an opportunity to provide clarity to property owners and their contractors to prevent encroachment into protected riparian areas.
A reminder that if you are planning work in a riparian assessment area, please visit www.scrd.ca/streams. This webpage includes information on stream and riparian protection, including what steps are required before developing or altering land within 30 meters of a watercourse or top of bank.
Monday’s Public Hearing Postponed
June 21, 2024
The public hearing to consider Amending Zoning Bylaw No. 722.9 and 337.123 has been postponed. The public hearing was originally due to take place this Monday, June 24.
Why postpone the public hearing?
A key part of this public hearing has been an opportunity for residents to ask questions prior to the hearing taking place. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has received a considerable number of questions related to the proposed amendments to the bylaw.
As a result, the SCRD will host a public information meeting prior to the rescheduled public hearing. This will ensure that these questions can be answered before the public hearing takes place.
Get Informed
Residents can continue to get informed about these proposed amendments and can ask questions at any time here on the Let’s Talk Platform.
Public Hearing Submissions
If you have already provided a written submission for the public hearing that was scheduled for Monday, June 24, it is still valid and will form part of the public record for the rescheduled public hearing.
Dates for both the public information meeting and rescheduled public hearing will be provided early next week on the SCRD Website and via the SCRD Facebook Page.
SCRD Prepares Church Road Well Field for Summer Water Supply
June 18, 2024
As part of the Region’s drought response plan, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) staff are preparing the Church Road Well Field to supplement summer water supply.
The well field is now fully operational and can supply 4.6 million litres, nearly two Olympic sized swimming pools worth of water per day to residents on the Chapman Water System.
As part of the preparation to bring the well field online, a purpose-built chemical storage container will be temporarily installed at the Church Road Well Field Water Treatment Plant tomorrow, June 19. The SCRD understands that this storage container has been the subject of some community concern.
To alleviate concern, the SCRD has already hosted an online information session, provided answers to multiple questions from the public and just this week, staff went door to door in the area to speak with residents and provide them factual information about the container.
The resource provided to residents can be found here.
Stay informed about the SCRD’s drought response at www.scrd.ca/water-updates.
Riparian and Shoreline Protection Bylaw Amendments Public Hearing
June 11, 2024
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will hold a public hearing on June 24, 2024, to consider Amending Zoning Bylaw No. 722.9 and 337.123. The purpose of the amendments is to strengthen the protection of riparian areas (land beside freshwater) and shorelines in the Electoral Areas and update SCRD bylaws to meet legislative requirements.
Get Informed
In recognition of the technical nature of the amendments, staff have posted a narrated slideshow video on the Let’s Talk platform explaining the reason for the proposed amendments. If you are interested in this bylaw amendment, please watch the video.
Ask a Question
After watching the video, if you have a question, they can be posted to the Let’s Talk platform and staff will respond. Staff will use the questions to build a presentation for the public hearing to ensure it addresses areas of community interest. You can access the page by clicking here.
Please note that the questions you ask via the Let’s Talk platform will not form part of the public record for the Public Hearing. The focus of both the narrated presentation and the Let’s Talk platform is to ensure that members of the community are well informed prior to submitting comments at the public hearing.
Participate in the Public Hearing
The public hearing will take place on June 24, 2024, at 7PM. Members of the public can join virtually / online or in-person at the SCRD’s Main Administration Building on Field Road in Sechelt. Further information can be found at https://www.scrd.ca/public-hearings.
About the Proposed Amendments
- To date, the amendments have been referred to the Advisory Planning Commissions (APC) and relevant agencies, an APC workshop was delivered, and the bylaws have passed first and second readings. Staff reports are posted on the Let’s Talk page.
- Two of the three proposed amendments are housekeeping amendments which seek to bring SCRD bylaws into alignment with Provincial legislation, regulations, and guidelines.
- The third amendment is not required for legislative alignment, however, is an opportunity to provide clarity to property owners and their contractors to prevent encroachment into protected riparian areas.
If you are planning work in a riparian area, please visit www.scrd.ca/streams. This webpage includes information on stream and riparian protection, including what steps are required before developing or altering land within 30 meters of a watercourse or top of bank.
Alternative Approval Process Begins for Fire Engine Replacement Project
June 7, 2024
The Sunshine Coast Regional District is proceeding with an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to authorize the borrowing of up to $1,499,500 to finance the cost of replacing a fire engine in the Gibsons and West Howe Sound Fire Protection service. The loan is to be repaid over a period not exceeding 10 years.
So, what is an AAP? Quite simply, if the SCRD wants to take out a long-term loan, the approval of the electors is required. The AAP is a process where you only submit a response form if you are opposed to the proposal – in this case, opposed to the borrowing.
The elector response form and information about the AAP is available at www.scrd.ca/aap as well as at the SCRD office at 1975 Field Road, Wilson Creek, during regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Response forms may be submitted by mail or in-person and must be received at the SCRD Field Road office before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024.
SCRD staff will also be available in-person at the Field Road office Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays, to answer questions related to the AAP.
More information on this AAP may be obtained by contacting Sherry Reid, Corporate Officer by telephone at 604-885-6825.
The public is invited to submit questions about this AAP at letstalk.scrd.ca/fire-engine-aap
Contact Us
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
Phone: 604-885-6800 Ext. 6123
Cellular: 604-885-8052
Email: aidan.buckley@scrd.ca