For details about each program action, review the posters or review the 2007 DWWP Action Plan. Below is the feedback, comments and questions that were left in relation to each of the posters.
Program 1: Public Awareness & Involvement
Click to view Program 1 poster
- Include rebate information along with the water bills.
Starting in 2014, water bills for customers in RDN water service areas will include a new information page with information on rebates, average use and fun water facts!
Program 2: Water Resources Inventory & Monitoring
Click to view Program 2 poster
No comments were posted.
We would like to thank all volunteers that assist the RDN with this program initiative.
Program 3: Land Use Planning & Development
Click to view Program 3 poster
- In light of the proposed Nanoose Bay developments, are there any plans to incorporate watershed management tools such as rain water harvesting or water storage for Fairwinds golf course?
The creation and implementation of such measures is dependent on level of aquifer stress (which varies from region to region) and support from the local community.
- What are the similarities and differences in terms of water demand for agriculture use versus forest land use?
Forests, trees and other shorter vegetation use (lose) water through evapotranspiration: water is taken up by the roots and evaporated through pores or stomata on the surface of leaves. However, forests lose significant quantities of water through interception: water is intercepted by leaves, branches and trunks during rainfall and evaporated. Forests have the ability to use more water than other types of vegetation. Factors which determine how much water is lost from forests and other vegetation include climate, season, species, growth stage, soil type and land management.
- Growth must be limited. Development must require water resource mapping and water availability estimations. Any plans in this regard?
- How do residents deal with proposed developments when a water system is already overloaded?
- Can you please tell me more about the scrap metal salvage piles on Cassidy aquifer and the plans for a new subdivision over the aquifer and any plans for a new shopping mall?
All development applications are required to identify available water supply. As required through rezoning and development permit applications the developer must provide a hydrogeological assessment if the is a risk to water quality. Developers are required to demonstrate adequate water supply to the Provincial Approving Officer’s satisfaction as a condition of subdivision approval in the RDN. Businesses such as scrap metal salvagers are typically located on lands zoned for industrial use and are required to meet legislated standards. Many of such businesses are licensed under the RDN’s Waste Stream Management Bylaw 1386. For more information about the development requirements or to make a development inquiry please contact the planning department at 250-390-6510 or 250-954-3798 or email planning@rdn.bc.ca.
- Do municipal councilors or the RDN’s Regional Board of Directors have the authority to overturn certain aspects of an Official Community Plan (OCP) without the support of residents?
As defined by the Local Government Act, an Official Community Plan is an adopted statement of objectives and policies to guide local government decisions on planning and land use management within the planning area. The Act does not require the Board to implement the policies specified in the OCP but it obligates the Board to ensure their actions are consistent with the plan. An OCP can only be considered for amendment following public consultation.
Program 4: Watershed Management Planning
Click to view Program 4 poster
- How do golf courses fit into water protection?
The provincial government has produced publications on the environmental best practices for developing and managing golf courses. These documents state that golf courses should work to minimize water usage through planting drought-tolerant and native vegetation, ensuring irrigation systems are working efficiently and seeking local sources of recycled water. The Morningstar Golf Course located within the RDN uses recycled water from the French Creek Pollution Control Centre to irrigate in the summer months. For more information on Provincial publications check out their recent fact sheet (PDF).
- How can we plan anything in our watersheds when we don’t own them?
The RDN has a positive working relationship with the local forestry companies and other levels of government. The forestry companies that own local watershed lands work cooperatively with the municipal water services in the management of the drinking watersheds. We are currently working with the forestry companies to develop an interactive school education program which will take students into our local drinking watersheds to learn about where their water comes from and how to protect it. In addition to this, the DWWP program works in close collaboration with the forestry companies to deliver the RDN Community Watershed Protection Program which sees volunteers monitoring surface water quality during key summer and fall periods.
Program 5: Water Use Management
Click to view Program 5 poster
- Private companies with water rights need to be kept in check (i.e. EPCOR).
- How is Nanoose Bay water being protected and what is being done to protect groundwater wells from the Fairwinds development?
Our water resources in BC are protected under various laws such as the Groundwater Protection Regulation, the Water Act, the Environmental Management Act and the Drinking Water Protection Act. All landowners, private and crown, must comply with these laws. The Official Community Plan for Schooner Cover (Fairwinds) states that the subdivision of land should be designed to: (a) maintain the hydraulic regime of surface and groundwater and predevelopment flow rates at the watershed scale and (b) not interfere with groundwater recharge.
Program 6: Water Quality Management
Click to view Program 6 poster
- Are well heads installed from 2012 onward constructed to meet well building standards?
The 2005 Groundwater Protection Regulation set out clear well construction standards. All wells installed following this date should meet the requirements set out in the Regulation.
- What impacts do Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and road maintenance contractors have on water quality with their road cleaning activities (i.e. off bridges, roadsides, etc.)?
The RDN’s local road maintenance contractor Emcon Services Inc. (1-866-353-3136) follows sediment and erosion control standards set out by the Provincial Government to ensure water quality is not negatively impacted. When work is being done over or in fish bearing waterways Department of Fisheries and Oceans is notified and appropriate measures are taken. For more information on Transportation Pollution Sources visit http://www.ec.gc.ca/pollution/default.asp?lang=En&n=0409F08B-1
Program 7: Adapting to Climate Change
Click to view Program 7 poster
- To increase conservation, use a trash-compost-recycling model to encourage the collection of rainwater. For instance, supply each household with rainwater barrels (based on lot size, number of residents in household, etc.) and use only qualified licensed contractors to assist / install where help is needed.
The DWWP program is funded through parcel tax revenue. Rain barrels are an expensive asset and providing them to each homeowner within the RDN is not a feasible option for the program. We have adopted a model of cost sharing –see our website www.rdnrebates.ca for more details on our Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program.
- To more easily regulate, use the development cost-building codes system to require new developments to install cisterns or other rainwater collection systems for each residence or complex. Also, require double piping and new construction to have cistern gathering systems. For commercial operations, we could retrofit infrastructure and require each industry that affects the general quality of water post operation to also re-purify / cleanse their output so that their effluent meets potable drinking water standards before it’s released.
We are always looking for practical innovative and sustainable solutions to manage and protect our natural resources. Thank you for your comments and suggestions.
We would like to thank all those who participated in the October 2013 public information sessions. If you have any comments or questions please contact us at 250-390-6560 or email waterprotection@rdn.bc.ca.
Thank you,
RDN Drinking Water & Watershed Protection program team