The Town of Gibsons says improvements need to be made to the existing water strategy to make sure a supply is reliable to reach all users during drought season.
A proposal was put forward by the town to the Sunshine Coast Regional District during a committee of the whole meeting last week providing feedback, and recommendations, on the district’s Regional Water Strategy.
According to the report, the aim is to provide shared experiences as a partnering purveyor on the Sunshine Coast and provide constructive feedback to enhance the strategy in line with the Aquifer 560 Watershed Agreement.
In a media release, the town says they’ve been able to gain substantial data through monitoring and because of changes have been made to help alleviate some of the water shortages and increase supply.
“Through rigorous monitoring and reporting, the town has been able to gain extensive knowledge of the natural water system,” the release states. “We’ve made significant improvements to reduce water use and manage water responsibly.
“The recommendations the town is proposing are grounded in this evidence and successful experience.”
Mayor Silas White says the report is designed to continue conversations around this important issue.
“Our goal is not to change the existing agreement, but to work on it collaboratively,” he says. “Our proposal involves adopting a watershed system and assets system outlook, avoiding further dependency on the Chapman system, and focusing on sustainability.
“We’re committed to sharing the consultant reports and collaborating to find the best solutions that will benefit the region.”
Concerns highlighted by the Town of Gibsons is the continued reliance on a network of multiple watersheds, communities, and territories across the region.
According to the report the system has high energy costs because of the extensive pumping and could have a greater potential for increased water loss.
They’re also concerned the existing system doesn’t allow for growth and the ability to adapt in the face of current water issues. They add the lack of a regional growth plan puts the future water needs of Elphinstone, Gibsons, and Langdale at risk and a new plan would support the Sunshine Coast for generations.
Recommendations include implementing a groundwater-based SCRD water service area supplied by Aquifer 560 and, eventually, 552 to Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, and portions of West Howe Sound and optimizing the distribution systems between Gibsons and the SCRD.
The town says implementing these recommendations would provide several benefits to the region, including reducing the number of users accessing the Chapman system by as much as 20 per cent.
