"Without water, the Gulf Islands will become a sad commentary on what
could have been had we cared enough to protect our resources."
Mayne Island Integrated Water Systems Society
The Islands Trust Council has long been concerned about the issues of water quality and quantity on the islands of the Islands Trust Area. The Islands Trust does not have the jurisdiction to regulate water or wells. That is a provincial and regional district responsibility. Local trust committees can protect groundwater using land use planning tools. The Islands Trust also promotes sustainable water use and advocates on behalf of islanders for better provincial water legislation.
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 (e.g. rainwater catchment, greywater recycling).
Below you will find links to online water information.
We welcome suggestions for new items. If you are aware of information that is not included please contact Pamela Hafey Communications Specialist (250) 405-5156.
Previous Islands Trust water resource projects:
- 2004 The Islands Trust partnered with other agencies to create the Gulf Islands Waterscape poster.
- 2005 The Islands Trust Fund built a demonstration rainwater catchment project on one of its Salt Spring Island nature reserves.
- 2009 The Islands Trust also created a series of posters, featuring island artist's work, about special considerations on the islands, including water conservation.
- Trust Council Advocacy to the Province of B.C.
- 2014 The Islands Trust created a regulatory toolkit to help Islanders safeguard their water supplies now and into the future. Gulf Islands Groundwater Protection - A Regulatory Toolkit [PDF - 791 kb]