May 20, 2025 — The Town of Gibsons has released a comprehensive new One Water Strategy to guide the long-term protection of Aquifer 560, the vital groundwater source that supplies high-quality drinking water to all residents and businesses within the Town.

Instead of managing groundwater, surface water, and rainwater separately, the “One Water” approach treats all water as part of one interconnected system, emphasizing the protection of both the aquifer and the broader ecosystems (forests, creeks, wetlands) that support it.

Developed in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), Urban Systems, and Waterline Resources, the strategy builds on Gibsons’ award-winning Natural Asset Management work and incorporates updated aquifer mapping from 2013 and 2021.

The Town of Gibsons municipal boundary is fully served by Aquifer 560, which is a high-quality, stable, and reliable groundwater source.  In contrast, water systems that rely on surface water supply face more frequent supply challenges as they are more susceptible to the effects of seasonal drought

The report confirms that Aquifer 560 is performing well: water quality remains consistently high, and there has been no evidence of saltwater intrusion. Groundwater conditions have remained stable since monitoring began more than a decade ago.

“Aquifer 560 is Gibsons’ most valuable natural asset,” said Mayor Silas White. “It’s healthy — and we now have an even stronger plan to keep it that way.” 

How the Town of Gibsons Protects the Aquifer
To ensure Aquifer 560 remains protected, a variety of Natural Asset Management tools and strategies are used, including:

  • Regular monitoring of groundwater quality and water levels;
  • Regulatory protection in sensitive aquifer areas;
  • Emergency and drought response planning;
  • Climate and groundwater modelling to predict and adapt to future challenges.
  • Close coordination with the Province, SCRD, and Squamish Nation to manage risks regionally.

These approaches are part of a framework known as Natural Asset Management (NAM), and the One Water Strategy identifies seven NAM tools that are already in place or in development. Each has been assessed in the report to identify where improvements can be made to ensure sustainable water quantity and quality into the future.

Why a Strategy Like This Is Needed
While the aquifer is in good shape today, the strategy notes that climate change and shifting weather patterns could reduce groundwater recharge in the future, potentially impacting availability if not properly managed. Additionally, governance of Aquifer 560 is complex, as the aquifer spans municipal boundaries and lies wholly within the Squamish Nation territory, with multiple jurisdictions involved in decision-making and land use.

The One Water Strategy provides a clear roadmap for continuous improvement, including closing gaps in groundwater modelling, continued collaboration by aligning emergency response plans, and updating well protection plans.

View the full report here: One Water Strategy.pdf

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For more information, please contact:

Trevor Rutley
Director of Infrastructure, Town of Gibsons
trutley@gibsons.ca