Tag: groundwater

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SSI Groundwater Monitoring Pilot Project Update

As recommended by Golder Associates in their recent public presentation on Salt Spring Island (November 23, 2018) “Groundwater Budget Analysis for Aquifers on Salt Spring Island, BC”: analyses, conclusions, decision-making and planning for freshwater sustainability on Salt Spring Island could really benefit from groundwater level monitoring and study of groundwater-surface interactions which have previously been sparse and under-studied.

During the two-year project by Golder Associates for both the provincial Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNR), a project was launched through a coordinated approach at SSIWPA and is co-lead by Islands Trust and FLNR: The SSI Groundwater Wells Monitoring Pilot Project.

Click the link at the project title above to see the updated information about this important pilot to collect and analyze 12 months of data and potential to continue as a community groundwater monitoring network to complement the Provincial Groundwater Observation Wells monitoring network.

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Groundwater Licensing Deadline-March 1st, 2019

Groundwater Licensing Deadline—March 1st, 2019

The deadline for an existing user of groundwater to apply for a licence is fast-approaching (March 1st, 2019)!

Who needs a license?

All well-owners or operators using groundwater for non-domestic purposes, before Feb 29th, 2016 have less than three months to apply for a licence. For example, this includes waterworks providers, commercial enterprises using private wells, and agricultural operations (including hobby farms irrigating more than a quarter of an acre). Land owners using groundwater for only their private home do not need to apply for a license but are encouraged to register their well (no fees charged) if it is not in the provincial database already.

Why apply now?

Existing groundwater users can continue to use the water from their well as long as they apply for a licence before March 1st 2019. During this transition period, it does not cost anything to apply (the one-time processing fee has been waived). One of the primary benefits for existing groundwater users to submit an application within the transition periods is maintaining the date of precedence, which becomes important during times of scarcity. Additionally, the tests used in the review of a transition licence require a lower threshold and scrutiny as compared to a new application. For example, environmental flow needs is not a mandatory consideration and it is rare that a decision maker would require a pumping test for existing groundwater licence applications. If you sell your property or business the license remains with the property.

Do you need more information or have questions?

Information:                                         www.gov.bc.ca/water

Apply for a water licence at:        FrontCounterBC
www.frontcounterbc.ca
FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca
1-877-855-3222

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Public Presentation November 23: Groundwater Budget Analysis for Aquifers on Salt Spring Island

The final results of a 2-phase study by Golder Associates, consultants for B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development will be presented Friday November 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at the Lion’s Hall, 103 Bonnet Ave., Salt Spring Island, B.C.

All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Abstract:

Water supply for Salt Spring Island’s 10,000 residents and an estimated 10,000 annual visitors is derived entirely from the Island’s footprint, from community systems utilizing water from surface water and groundwater sources, together with private wells. Aquifer mapping for Salt Spring Island was conducted by integrating available geological mapping and information from over 2500 well logs using three-dimensional visualization software.

Monthly groundwater budgets were then derived for each aquifer to assess the sustainability of groundwater withdrawals based on available climate data, estimates of groundwater recharge, and an estimate of groundwater demand from domestic, commercial and agricultural users. The results of the budget analysis will be used to inform groundwater licensing decisions by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development under the Water Sustainability Act, and to support water management initiatives being undertaken by local authorities and community groups.

NOTE: SSIWPA Regular Monthly Meeting will be held at Lion’s Hall at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm November 23, 2018. Observers welcome to attend.

Regular Meeting Agenda 2018-11-23

 

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Public Presentation November 27th: Groundwater Preservation Planning on SSI

Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society   

Water Awareness Speaker Series 2018

Groundwater Preservation Planning on Salt Spring Island: 

William Shulba 

  • Tuesday Nov 27th
  • Doors Open 7:00 PM – Talk Begins 7:30 PM
  • Lions Hall 103 Bonnet Ave

The Provincial Ministry responsible for licensing fresh water has recently completed estimates of groundwater quantities on Salt Spring Island. This multi-agency study involved the Islands Trust since the findings will impact the Trust’s role in fulfilling its “preserve and protect” mandate. In this talk William Shulba, the Trust’s lead groundwater scientist, will review the status of various investigations aimed at preserving our groundwater resources and interpret their impact on Trust policy. 

William Shulba, P.Geo. is the Senior Freshwater Specialist at the Islands Trust. He investigates groundwater sustainability, watershed protection, policy development, and intergovernmental research in the Islands Trust area. He has a masters degree in hydrology from the University of Victoria and a BSc in geology from the University of Alberta.

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Public Talk October 30th: Ecohealth Concept and Watershed Preservation

The speaker series begins with these two talks:

The Ecohealth Concept and Watershed Preservation on Salt Spring Island

Speaker: Dr. David Rapport

Tuesday October 30th  7:00 PM – 9:15 PM

@ Lions Hall, 103 Bonnet Ave.

Description:

Sound watershed management is crucial for preserving the integrity and quality of our potable water supplies.  Ecosystem health is a holistic vision that balances human needs with the need to maintain proper functioning of the earth’s life-support systems.  It is about finding innovative approaches to achieving ecosystem health at watershed and local levels. David Rapport’s talk will explore how this approach can benefit Salt Spring Island in maintaining and improving our water supply.

Dr. Rapport is a pioneer in the field of ecosystem health, and founder and principal of EcoHealth Consulting.

 

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Salt Spring Island Groundwater Study: Call for Well Owner Volunteers

Salt Spring Island Groundwater Study: Call for Well Owner Volunteers

Islands Trust and Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development are collaborating on a project to:

  • increase information for well owners,
  • to support the Provincial Groundwater Observation Network,
  • participate in other Water Sustainability and Water Balance initiatives through SSIWPA

Groundwater monitoring stations will be industry standard automatic water level monitoring device, installed by a professional well pump installer. Staff will visit the site 3-4 times over the year to download information.

The pilot project has potential to result in more long term community volunteer well monitoring on SSI, similar to the Nanaimo volunteer observation well program.

To volunteer your well please send inquiries to SSIWPA Coordinator Shannon Cowan at info@ssiwpa.org or calling 250-653-4867.