Water Supply Projects – June Update

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.