Services
Water FAQs
Your Water Questions Answered
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about Gibsons’ water. Did we miss something? Let us know and we’ll add it!
Email infrastructure@gibsons.ca or call 604-886-2274
No. Gibsons is on a completely different water system than the SCRD. All our water comes from an underground aquifer (Aquifer 560), not the Chapman water system on which the SCRD, District of Sechelt and the shíshálh Nation rely.
Zone 3 is connected to the Chapman system for emergency purposes only.
Aquifer 560 is a high-quality confined aquifer located below the Town and extending beyond the Town boundary into the Sunshine Coast Regional District. The aquifer acts as a natural underground reservoir that holds and provides groundwater to our wells.
- there is ample water readily available for firefighting emergencies,
- we stay within our licensed water allocation from the province,
- we optimize our pumping and well capacities, and
- we alleviate strain on both our infrastructure and the environment.
Water demand significantly increases during the dry months. Regulations are in place every year from May 1 to October 15 to help stabilize our water use throughout the year. This is to ensure that there is ample water readily available for firefighting emergencies, to ensure we stay within our water licence allocation, and to alleviate strain on both our infrastructure and the environment.
The Town of Gibsons gets its water from a confined aquifer, while the SCRD is on a different surface water system. Our aquifer monitoring program shows that Gibsons’ water supply remains healthy and can easily meet our average daily demands. Plus, our community continues to do a great job conserving water!
Following the recent update of the Aquifer Mapping Study (2021), the Town of Gibsons has comprehensive, current data that shows the Aquifer can supply the community’s water needs, even under more challenging climate conditions.
The Aquifer Mapping Study Update modelled multiple future climate scenarios, including;
- A range of population growth estimates (1.2 to 2.5%)
- A range of water demands (0.404 to 0.523 cubic metres/capita/day)
- Changes to groundwater recharge from precipitation:
- 15% decrease in rainfall
- 30% decrease in snow accumulation, and
- Sea Level rise, which will decrease the available drawdown.
The conclusion was that there is a low risk to the Aquifer from over-pumping associated with the total licensed groundwater volume and for the full buildout water demand, including climate-affected conditions.
If you have a concern about water conservation or sprinkling, please call 604-886-2274 or email us at: info@gibsons.ca.
Zones 1 & 2 are not normally chlorinated unless there is a need to protect the health of the community. This usually occurs when work is being done on water mains and there is a risk of impurities entering the water system.
Zone 3 is chlorinated at all times. Although zone 3 is serviced by the aquifer, it is linked to the SCRD water network so requires chlorination.
No. The Town of Gibsons does not add fluoride to the water. We do not add anything to the water except chlorine when needed to maintain water quality.
The Town of Gibsons takes water conservation very seriously and is continually striving to find ways to save. Here are some of the methods currently employed:
- Because our water system is monitored 24/7, this allows us to respond quickly to any leaks and system inefficiencies.
- The use of water meters in Gibsons has allowed us to significantly reduce our water use.
- The Parks Department waters gardens in the morning to avoid peak times.
- Parks are irrigated at night to avoid peak times.
Yes. All water zones within the Town of Gibsons (1, 2 & 3) are required to follow the same conservation regulations.
How do I know what water zone I’m in?
Subsequent stages are put into place on an as-needed basis, depending on water usage through the dry summer months
On average, most lawns need 2.5 cm of water (or 1 hour) per week. To determine how much water is enough, place an upside-down Frisbee or empty can onto your lawn while watering. Stop watering when the Frisbee is full, or when there is 2.5 cm of water in the tuna can.
You can view the Water Sampling Test Results and Annual Drinking Water Reports at Water System under Water Reports.
The Town of Gibsons does not have any lead pipes within its water infrastructure. However, Vancouver Coastal Health does recommend that pregnant women, women trying to get pregnant, and young children take extra precautions to protect themselves against possible lead contamination from drinking water and other sources. To learn more, please read this: Protecting yourself from lead in drinking water.
Gibsons’ water is considered soft.
- Alkalinity (as CaCO3) ranges between 41 and 65 mg/Litre
- Hardness (as CaCO3) ranges between 37 and 55 mg/L
- pH varies between 6.94 to 7.88
