Due to the limited supply of water in the Trust Area, groundwater quality and quantity issues have been a concern to the Islands Trust Council for many years. In 2016, a significant number of islanders (41%) said they sometimes worry about their household running out of fresh water. (State-of-the-Islands: Interim Report).
The Islands Trust Council's strategic plan for the 2014-2018 term of office includes the objective to protect the quality and quantity of water resources and specifically to advocate for and educate about water conservation measures.
What can the Islands Trust do?
The Islands Trust can address water quality and quantity concerns through land use planning. Local trust committees can protect groundwater using land use planning tools.
The Islands Trust created a regulatory toolkit in 2014 to help Islanders safeguard their water supplies now and into the future.
Islands Trust can also address water concerns using advocacy and education. In the summer of 2017, the Islands Trust held 11 workshops on wells and groundwater.
What other agencies are involved in water on the Islands?
Water management is a shared responsibility. In British Columbia, water is regulated by the Provincial Government and Regional Districts. Learn about the water organizations operating within the Islands Trust Area.
What about water quality and saltwater intrusion?
Our actions affect water quality. Learn about drinking water quality, water quality guidelines, and monitoring water quality.
What should I know if I am a private well owner?
Groundwater is the main source of drinking water on our islands. Property owners with wells can learn more about wells and groundwater resources.
How can I conserve water?
There are many ways to be a responsible steward of this finite resource.
Understand your household water use. Check out this household water use calculator
- Consider rainwater harvesting
Check out the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Rainwater Harvesting Best Practices Guidebook
The Islands Trust Fund also has information on Rainwater Harvesting including a demonstration site.
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Collecting and Using Rainwater at Home: A Guide for Homeowners
The Environment Canada Climate Normals (1981–2010) website contains average precipitation data at various weather stations in the Gulf Islands. If you choose to search the website for specific location information, use only the island name (i.e. Mayne, not Mayne Island) as your search word. If there is no information available about your island, try selecting a nearby location.
