What does the aquifer provide?

Aquifer 560 provides us with drinking water of excellent quality. The Aquifer 560 (Gibsons Aquifer) is a confined aquifer that lies beneath the Town of Gibsons. The aquifer acts as a natural underground reservoir that holds and provides groundwater to our wells.

100% of the Town of Gibsons depends on groundwater from the aquifer, which is pumped from three wells located in Lower Gibsons and one well in Upper Gibsons. In comparison, about 22% of British Columbians rely on groundwater.

Our confined aquifer is a pristine water source that won our town recognition at the 2005 Berkeley Spring International Water Tasting Contest as having the best drinking water in the world.

How is the Aquifer monitored?

Through a 2022 Aquifer Mapping Study which includes a comprehensive groundwater monitoring program, the Town has extensive data to understand the movement and cycling of water in the Aquifer and is able to assess the long-term supply under various demand and climate conditions. The data also provides information on current water use and recharging levels.

Did you know?

• The aquifer is considered a “natural asset” which provides a municipal service in the same way that engineered assets do.
• The aquifer is gravel and sand that is saturated by water (not an underground lake or river).
• It takes about 10 years for a drop of water that falls on Mt Elphinstone to enter the aquifer and make its way to Town wells.