Services

Protecting the Aquifer

Safeguarding our primary water source

In Gibsons, we have been blessed with favourable access to Aquifer 560, a pure groundwater resource that provides potable water to the Town’s three water zones. It’s a pristine, award-winning and irreplaceable natural asset, and we take our stewardship of it very seriously.

As Aquifer 560 is a valued component of the watershed, the Town has designated the aquifer as a natural asset, which requires careful management and maintenance as with any other valued infrastructure. This approach provides an administrative responsibility to protect the aquifer from potential impacts that could influence the long-term sustainable yield and water supply for both the Town and the SCRD.

The initiatives outlined below describe actions we have taken to protect this vital resource and its watershed:

BUILDING OUR UNDERSTANDING

The Town has taken on several mapping and research initiatives to better understand the aquifer and its watershed. Ongoing and upcoming studies and reports include:

MANAGING WATER USE

In 2012, the Town completed the installation of a universal water metering system. This initiative delivered many important benefits, including helping to identify hidden leaks and raising our collective awareness of water use. At the same time a new “user-pay” system was implemented to cover the operation, maintenance and future replacement costs of water infrastructure.

Together, these initiatives have led to a dramatic decline in our community’s water use, dropping it from ~800L → ~400L per person/day!

Woman hand holding smile water drop paper cut out.

MONITORING & STEWARDSHIP

Man looking at two monitors that have wires going into the creek to monitor the flow

The Town has extensive data to understand the movement and cycling of water in the Aquifer and can assess the long-term supply under various demand and climate conditions. The Town’s annual monitoring program provides information on water level, water quality and recharging levels, tracking trends year to year.

  • Water volume is tracked hourly from each well

  • Real-time sensors show the water level at each well location

  • An annual monitoring program tracks trends in water levels, quality, and recharge rates

  • Ongoing data collection helps assess the aquifer’s capacity under various demand and climate scenarios

RESTORATION & RESEARCH

Creek restoration and enhancement, as well as long-term monitoring and maintenance, are part of the Town’s commitment to Natural Asset Management.

BYLAWS & REGULATIONS

We’re working to protect the aquifer from contamination, saltwater intrusion, and development through regulation and policy changes:

  • Aquifer Protection Development Permit Areas

    These were introduced with the new Official Community Plan. This DPA outlines the development requirements to protect the aquifer and aquitard.

  • Aquifer Protection Bylaw

    This bylaw limits ground disturbance in sensitive areas and requires permits and careful review for any activities that could affect the aquifer.

  • Watershed Collaboration & Advocacy

    Since Aquifer 560 extends beyond town boundaries, the Town collaborates with the Sunshine Coast Regional District, neighbouring Nations, and the provincial government.

  • Subdivision servicing and stormwater management bylaw

    The bylaw requires developers to manage stormwater on-site and ensures erosion and sediment control measures are in place.

  • Water Regulation Bylaw

    The bylaw has requirements for universal metering, watering restrictions, and leak detection.

  • Tree Preservation Bylaw

    This bylaw aims to preserve and protect trees which reduce stormwater run-off and increase recharge.