Water Supply Projects Update – November

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 November 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 nine 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.

Two more wells will be drilled in the coming weeks; Whitaker Park in Davis Bay and a newly added area well near 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 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

Multi-year monitoring of stream flows on Gray Creek will be completed by year-end. Staff and a consultant will subsequently determine the viability of this as a year-round water source. Should Gray Creek be seen as a water source for the future, staff will bring a budget request forward to confirm the technical and financial feasibility of the development of this water source.

Langdale Well Field

This project was deferred during Budget 2024, however staff have continued work to ensure the lengthy provincially mandated permitting process can move forward. Further information on this project is anticipated to come forward after results are known from cost-benefit analyses for different development options for this well field. These results are scheduled to be presented to the SCRD Board in December 2024.

Environmental Flow Needs (EFN)

The SCRD releases water from Chapman Lake into Chapman Creek to ensure that there is 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-terms 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 dams 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.

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 these projects progress further.

You can learn more and ask questions at any time about water projects under way in the region at letstalk.scrd.ca/water.