Freshwater sustainability is a shared responsibility.
Islands Trust’s mandate is to preserve and protect the unique amenities and environment of the Islands Trust Area. Among these unique amenities is freshwater, which is inherently vulnerable on the islands. As development pressures continue, population grows, and the impacts of a changing climate intensify, freshwater vulnerabilities for communities, economies, Indigenous heritage, and ecological systems increase.
What We Are Doing
- Implementing a Freshwater Sustainability Strategy (6062KB) (2022-2032) for the Islands Trust Area.
- Undertaking groundwater sustainability science projects such as aquifer conceptualization and groundwater recharge potential.
- Coordinated the Wells and Groundwater Licensing in the Trust Area webinar with the Province of BC to profile the importance of water licensing and the Groundwater Protection Regulation.
- Working with the Province of BC to identify groundwater regions in the Islands Trust Area that are vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.
- Helping protect freshwater ecosystems with the Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP), land donations and conservation covenants.
- Restoring freshwater ecosystems in Islands Trust Conservancy nature reserves and conservation covenant areas Learn more.
- Enforcing freshwater-related bylaws and development permit areas.
- Facilitating the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Alliance through the the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee using funding from a special property tax requisition.
- Supporting local trust committees in undertaking projects to developing land-use planning tools to address watershed protection and groundwater preservation (see Galiano Local Trust Committees groundwater recharge protection development permit area. Community Information Meeting presentation (6532KB) and video)
- Webinars: please find out more about freshwater webinars here.
Islands Trust Freshwater Sustainability Strategy
In February 2022, Trust Council received the Islands Trust Freshwater Sustainability Strategy. This document sets out a vision and actions to address freshwater supply challenges, support climate action, and protect water resources over the longer term. The strategy also identifies how Islands Trust will work with key partners in other government agencies, First Nations, community groups, and island residents. Read the Islands Trust Freshwater Sustainability Strategy here (6062KB).
Read the Freshwater Footprint Gabriola Case Study Update here.
Read the Freshwater Sustainability Strategy Implementation Status here.
Contact us if you have questions regarding the strategy, associated programs, or project details.
Freshwater Footprint
Water is essential for life and a healthy environment on Gabriola Island, yet we often struggle to integrate water-related issues into long-term planning. Do we have enough water for current and future needs? How does land use affect water quality? Where are critical groundwater recharge zones, and how can we protect them?
To help answer these questions, Islands Trust is developing a Freshwater Footprint to measure and support freshwater sustainability. The Footprint considers water availability, distribution, and quality, along with island-specific water use, human impacts, Indigenous knowledge, and climate adaptation.
The Freshwater Footprint will inform land use planning, the Gabriola Island Community Plan review, and practical steps to protect local water resources.
FAQs: Freshwater Footprint – Gabriola Island Pilot Project
Gabriola Island LTC Special Meeting – March 23, 2026
A March 23, 2026 special meeting of the Gabriola Local Trust Committee will include a presentation and question and answer session on the Freshwater Footprint Gabriola Case Study. A draft version of the consultant report was included in the February 19, 2026 agenda here. You are welcome to pre-submit questions by emailing freshwater@islandstrust.bc.ca.
Participate in the special meeting, or watch the recording when it becomes available here.
Freshwater Footprint Workshop Series
Session #1: Community-based Freshwater Monitoring & Mapping
- William Shulba, Freshwater Specialist, Islands Trust
- Community Monitoring Networks in the Regional District of Nanaimo and on Gabriola Island
Erica Forssman, Regional District of Nanaimo, Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program - Community Flow Monitoring Network
Ally Badger, B.C. Conservation Foundation, Aquatic Research and Restoration Centre
Sarah Hardy, Ministry of Environment and Parks, Hydrometrics and Hydrology Program - Gabriola Island Freshwater Resources – Inventory and Hazards
Sylvia Barroso, GW Solutions - Gabriola Monitoring Networks Strategies and Opportunities
Moderated Panel Discussion and Q&A Session
Watch the recording here.
Session #2: Defining the Freshwater Footprint
Presenters included:
- Freshwater Footprint: Concepts and applications for water protection and management in the Islands Trust Area
Sylvia Barroso, GW Solutions - Freshwater Footprint in the Islands Trust Area
William Shulba, Freshwater Specialist, Islands Trust
Groundwater Sustainability Science Program
The Groundwater Sustainability Science Program is part of the Freshwater Sustainability Strategy with associated projects to preserve groundwater supplies and protect vulnerable aquifers in the Islands Trust Area.
Multi-year projects Islands Trust Area Aquifer Conceptualization and Islands Trust Area Groundwater Recharge Mapping has been completed on all major islands across the Islands Trust Area.
The Southern Gulf Islands Groundwater Availability Assessment Project has been completed on Galiano, Mayne, North Pender, Saturna, and South Pender Islands.
- Islands Trust Area Aquifer Conceptualization Report, 2021
- Islands Trust Area Groundwater Recharge Potential Mapping Report, 2021
- Islands Trust Area Groundwater Recharge Potential Mapping Appendices, 2021
- Islands Trust Area Groundwater Recharge Precipitation Interception Potential, 2021
- Southern Gulf Islands Groundwater Availability Assessment Report, 2021
- Southern Gulf Islands Groundwater Availability Assessment Appendices, 2021
- Islands Trust Area Groundwater Recharge Potential Mapping Report, 2023
- Islands Trust Area Aquifer Conceptualization, 2023
- Islands Trust Area Groundwater Recharge Potential Mapping Appendices, 2023
Drought Preparation
Best Practices for Groundwater Wells Going Dry and Drought Preparation
The brochure provides guidance for well owners in British Columbia on managing wells that might go dry due to drought or other issues. It advises monitoring well water levels, conserving water, storing groundwater, and using alternative water sources like rainwater. Well owners should avoid adding external water to wells and must consult professionals for maintenance. The brochure highlights the importance of drought preparation, such as implementing water conservation measures year-round, and provides resources for further information on groundwater management and well maintenance.
Freshwater Resources
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- Search the Document Library for specific reports
- Freshwater Sustainability Strategy (6062KB)
- Provincial Water Data & Tools
- BC Water Resources Atlas
- GWELLS (BC Groundwater Wells Registry)
- Groundwater well information for Property Owner webpage, Province of BC
- Domestic Well Registration Form, Province of BC
- Groundwater/Stream Water Licence Application (non-domestic), Province of BC
- Gulf Islands Groundwater Protection: A Regulatory Toolkit, Islands Trust, 2014 (791KB)
- Rainwater harvesting webinar, Islands Trust, 2020 (748KB)
- Groundwater and Wells Presentation slides, Islands Trust/Province of BC, 2017 (5638KB)
- Salt Spring Island Watershed Stewardship and Protection Coordination Situation Analysis and Options Identification Report
- Salt Spring Island Non-Potable Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting resources specific to islands in the Salish Sea are available here:
- Province of BC (2020) Guidance of Treatment of Rainwater Harvested for Potable Use
- Islands Trust Rainwater harvesting webinar
- Regional District of Nanaimo Rainwater Harvesting Best Practices Guidebook
- Guidelines for Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems Handbook
- Rainwater Harvesting on the Gulf Islands
- Transition Salt Spring – Rainwater Harvesting
- Plan Implementation Tools for Rainwater Management in the Comox Valley Electoral Areas
- Rainwater in Trust: Legislation, Policy, and Regulation Governing Catchment, Systems, and Use on the Gulf Islands
- Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Plan
There are a number of rainwater harvesting rebate programs currently available, find one for your area:
Webinars & Videos
Freshwater Footprint Workshop Series
The Freshwater Footprint Workshop Series explores local initiatives, and innovative approaches to preserving and protecting Gabriola Island’s vital freshwater resources.
Session #1: Community-based Freshwater Monitoring & Mapping
This session explores freshwater sustainability and the role of monitoring in understanding local water concerns. This session was on May 1, 2025.
Watch the recording here.
Freshwater Sustainability Strategy & Online Atlas
- Islands Trust is diving into Freshwater Sustainability with this webinar on the Islands Trust Freshwater Sustainability Strategy and Online Atlas! Freshwater Specialist William Shulba shared how the strategy sets out goals and objectives to address freshwater supply challenges, support climate action, and ensure watershed security for a future of freshwater sustainability.
Groundwater: Our Shared Responsibility! Webinar
- Groundwater is a unique amenity of the Islands Trust Area. Join Islands Trust and provincial staff to learn further about groundwater resources and best practices for well management on the islands. Risk of saltwater intrusion is of special concern for coastal aquifers. The likelihood of saltwater intrusion in groundwater wells increases with pumping demand and from coastal hazards such as rising sea levels and storm surges.