Truths and Misconceptions about Pender Islands Groundwater Planning

Truths and Misconceptions about Pender Islands Groundwater: Planning for the Future Dr. James D. Henderson October 10, 2015

Why Small Islands ?

Why the Penders?

TRUTHS 1) Water runs downhill 2) Freshwater floats on saltwater 3) Province of B. C. owns all groundwater 4) Only fresh water source is rainfall

GROUNDWATER ISSUES Drought Saline intrusion/Other contamination Water well interference Seismicity Lack of alternative natural water sources Time frame Changing legislation

Conceptual Model for Groundwater Management

Prescriptive Approach to Physical Setting Investigations Approach Objective Airphoto Interpretation Vegetation types, geologic structure, bedrock lithology, surface water sources, geomorphology, topography, land use Remote Sensing Vegetation type, geologic structure, bedrock geomorphology, surface water sources, topography Geologic Mapping Geologic structure, bedrock lithology, geomorphology, hydrogeologic properties Geophysical Investigations Geologic structure, bedrock lithology, soil type, hydrogeologic properties, saline water delineation Water well data Soil type and thickness, bedrock lithology and thickness, water bearing horizons, groundwater flow rates, groundwater levels Climatic data Laboratory data surficial Precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration Water quality, bedrock porosity and permeability lithology, geology,

Interaction of Natural Processes

CLIMATE

Water Balance Equation Inputs = Outputs + Changes in Storage

Revised Water Balance Equation P = R +/- O +/- G +/- S +/- I +/- C +/- M + E

Relationship between climate and water resource management

Annual precipitation, 1925 – 2002

Average monthly precipitation

Months of Below 60% Normal Precipitation Year 1925 May, June, July, September, October, November 1926 May, June, August, October, January, February 1928 September, October, November, January 1929 July, August, September, November, December 1935 April, May, June 1942 August, September, October, January, February 1943 June, September, November, December, January, February, March 1944 April, May, June, July, August, September 1952 May, July, August, September, October, November 1956 April, May, July, November 1978 June, July, October, December, January, March 1985 July, August, September, November, December 1987 June, July, August, September, October, February 1993 August, September, October 1994 July, August 1995 May, September 1996 June, July 1998 April, August, September, October 1999 May, September 2000 April, August, February 2002 June, July, August, September, October, November

Month % Below. 8 % Below. 6 of Monthly Average Precipitation, of Average Precipitation mm Precipitation Range, mm April 43. 6 31 23 5. 3 – 100. 0 May 35. 6 46 33 8. 1 – 112. 8 June 32. 4 47 34 0 – 134. 1 July 21. 2 54 44 0 – 101. 1 August 26. 7 52 43 0 – 112. 3 September 35. 6 46. 4 36. 6 0. 6 – 94. 2 October 80. 1 46. 4 31. 9 15. 0 – 187. 2 November 119. 6 39 27. 6 25. 7 – 249. 0 December 129. 8 33. 3 14. 6 10. 5 – 267. 7 January 123. 2 49 20. 9 22. 1 – 294. 9 February 84. 8 40 28. 3 12. 7 – 189. 0 March 70. 2 35. 7 23. 8 6. 9 – 135. 6

AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE

AVERAGE MONTHLY TEMPERATURE

EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

DRYING INDEX

GEOLOGY

FACTORS INFLUENCING GROUNDWATER RECHARGE • texture and gradation of surface and near surface deposits and their vertical permeability • nature and consumptive use of the vegetative cover • frequency, intensity and volume of rainfall • soil moisture content • topography • temperature.

from: Islands Trust Groundwater Toolkit, 2014

WATER AVAILABILITY, REQUIREMENT AND USE • Protection of aquatic and wetland habitat • High well development • Management of extreme events (drought, flood, etc. ) • Excessive extraction from surface and ground waters • Climate change • Safe drinking water supply • Land use

Geophysical Measurements

Objectives of Geophysics • Freshwater/saltwater contact • Bedrock depth and degree of fracturing • Fault Location • Variability of soil type and thickness

Southlands Drive Geophysical Section

Ghyben-Hertzberg Equation hs = (Pf / (Ps-Pf))(hf)

Conceptual Groundwater Flow Model Medicine Beach

POPULATION GROWTH Pender Census 2001 1, 776 Pender Census 2006 2, 181 Pender Census 2013 2, 236 VIHA Projection 2033 2, 840

Water Well Statistics – North Pender

Groundwater Basins – North Pender

Water Supply Systems, North Pender

OW 283

SHORT BREAK

25% 48% 8% 17. 5%

Water Well Statistics, South Pender

Groundwater Basins South Pender Island

Storage Capacity Table South Pender Island Groundwater Basin Area Bedrock Formations Primary Porosity Storage Capacity SP-I 2. 4 km 2 De Courcy 3. 9 % 1. 87 x 1010 litres 4. 94 x 109 gallons SP-II km 2 De Courcy, Cedar, Protection 3. 7 % 1. 69 x 1011 litres 4. 47 x 1010 gallons 0. 56 km 2 Protection, Pender, Extension 4. 4 % 8. 06 x 108 litres 2. 13 x 108 gallons 2. 36 km 2 5. 6 % 1. 82 x 1010 litres 4. 81 x 109 gallons SP-III SP-IV 2. 8 Extension

Groundwater Basins South Pender Island

Schematic of groundwater resource management at the groundwater basin level for South Pender Island

INSTITUTIONAL

Governing Groundwater • Federal Pender Island Indian Reserve Greenburn Park North Pender National Parks • Provincial • Local

FEDERAL JURISDICTION Interprovincial water issues Agriculture Significant national water issues Health Navigation International water issues Fisheries and Oceans

PROVINCIAL JURISDICTION • • • Ministry of Environment Ministry of Natural Resources Operations Ministry of Health Ministry of Transportation and Highways Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Forests Ministry of Municipal Affairs Ministry of Community Services Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture Capital Regional District

LOCAL JURISDICTION The Trust Committee shall: • Support a combination of local water supply systems; • Support water conservation and education; • Sources of drinking water shall be protected through regulation; • Use and setbacks of buildings and other improvements shall be regulated to protect wells; • The quality of domestic water supplies and community water systems should be monitored regularly. Use of water saving devices is encouraged;

WATER MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS Coordination and consistency Lack of data for decision making Effective monitoring Capturing a regional perspective Respective roles of federal, provincial and local agencies Respective roles of projects and programs

WATER MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS • Financing and cost sharing • Information and education • Appropriate levels of regulation and deregulation • Water rights and permits • Infrastructure • Population growth • Water resource planning

ISLANDS TRUST ROLE IN GROUNWATER SUSTAINABILITY • Ensure that rainwater is returned to streams and aquifers; • Protect headwaters, riparian areas and other vulnerable aquifer recharge areas; • Prevent groundwater contamination by limiting and regulating potentially polluting uses over aquifers and in groundwater recharge areas through zoning; • Direct development to appropriate locations where the sufficiency of groundwater for domestic or commercial uses has been thoroughly assessed on a watershed scale before development occurs; • Regulate storage and application of fertilizers and compost; • Obtain information about the location of existing and new wells (including geothermal wells) when new development occurs; and • Develop well protection plans.

examples of effective OCP policy areas for aquifer and groundwater protection: • Protect aquifers by establishing development permit areas that require buffer zones and site specific attention through permitting prior to development. • Designate aquifer protection zone(s) and development permit areas for which studies may be required. • Commit the Local Trust Committee to an integrated water management planning approach that will coordinate action on the community water supply, rainwater management, green infrastructure and government regulations

examples of effective OCP policy areas for aquifer and groundwater protection: • Specify site design that maintains natural hydrologic cycles, including performance based measures such as managing rain water on site and no net increase in post development flows. • Encourage cluster development that minimizes impervious surfaces and other impacts across the landscape. • Direct LTCs to encourage communities to practice water conservation and protection.

Land Use Bylaw - Zoning • Regulates use and density of property to direct development away from groundwater-limited or aquifer recharge areas • Can limit lots sizes to reduce density in groundwater scarce areas • Can prohibit potentially polluting uses in areas where aquifers must be protected.

Land Use Bylaw - Zoning • Sets standards on aspects of development that will have an impact on the water resources on the site or in an area (e. g. setbacks from riparian areas) • Can encourage groundwater sensitive development by clustering development through rezoning and possibly utilizing density bonus provisions. • Can leverage habitat protection or water-efficient amenities when rezoning.

Zoning can regulate development by: • Directing development to appropriate locations; • Requiring development to be setback from riparian areas; • Limiting the total impermeable site coverage; • Establishing appropriate lot sizes; • Limiting density; • Requiring appropriate drainage; and • Prohibiting potentially polluting uses in areas where aquifers must be protected.

The Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks shall be encouraged to: Storage of rainwater to supplement water supply for household use, fire protection and irrigation is encouraged; To reduce the risk of flood damage, all buildings shall be situated in accordance with provincial standards.

The Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks shall be encouraged to: a) monitor the quantity and quality of water supplied from the groundwater systems; b) administer well drilling activities and the tapping of watershed and aquifer resources; c) establish limits on the number of wells authorized in relation to known water supply volumes; Not less than 2045 litres/day/lot, shall be proven available prior to subdivision approval or the issuance of building permits;

B. C. Auditor General 2010 1) Is the MOE’s information about groundwater sufficient to ensure the sustainability of the resource? Information insufficient!

B. C. Auditor General 2010 cont’d 2) Is groundwater being protected from depletion and contamination and to ensure the viability of the ecosystems it supports? Not being protected!

3) Is groundwater access being controlled and do key organizations have the authority needed to take appropriate local responsibility? Control over access inadequate! Lack adequate authority!

Aquifer Characterization Report 2012 Population of Gulf Islands reliant on groundwater is low relative to other high priority aquifers. However, the low yielding fractured bedrock, coastal setting, and other known concerns have elevated some of the islands as a priority area. Southern Gulf Islands ranked as 10 th priority out of top 20

Living Water Smart 1) Water laws will improve the protection of ecological values, provide for more community involvement, and provide incentives to be water efficient. Who determines ecological values? What are the incentives? How will community become more involved? Only works if laws enforced.

2) Legislation will recognize water flow requirements for ecosystems and species Ecosystems are constantly evolving 3) Government will regulate groundwater use in priority areas and large groundwater withdrawals How?

4) New approaches to water management will address the impacts from a changing water cycle, increased drought risk and other impacts on water caused by climate change.

5) The Groundwater Protection Regulation will protect the quality and quantity of our groundwater How?

Risks • • • Contamination Earthquakes Flooding Changing Legislation Drought • Individual Water Wells • Water Systems • Fire Protection

How to Increase Water Supply

Methods of Water Use Efficiency

Savings per household from changing to water efficient fixtures Fixture Showerhead 2 Clothes. Washer 3 Dishwasher 4 Toilet 5 Faucet 6 Rate of Use, Rate of 1970 Use, 1992 Use, 2003 10 litres/min 6 litres/min 4 litres/min 54312 litres N/a 8 litres/min 6 litres/min 9052 litres 40 26 litres/load N/a 20 litres/ flush 19 6 litres/flush 6 3. 8 litres/ flush 2 litres/min Annual Savings 1970 -2003 4380 litres 77424 litres 153884 litres

Comparison Water System Costs, 2005

Conceptual Model for Water Management and Community Planning

Recommendations • Island wide water education program • Improved water well database (in progress) • New water well record format (in progress) • Local trustees push for groundwater legislation (basically done but unsure of local trustees role) • Election of provincial representatives supporting groundwater legislation • Island wide emergency response plan for droughts, floods, earthquakes and fire • Mandate increase in rainwater harvesting

Recommendations • Water meters • Promotion of use of directional drilling • Water quality testing on annual basis • Limit number of tourists • Adaptation of building codes to promote rainwater collection, use of water saving devices and use of gray-water • Strict enforcement of well head protection measures around best producing water wells • Regulation of pumping rates for water wells

Benefits to Approach • Reduction of inter-agency conflict • Development of emergency response plans • Following of user pay principle • Use of groundwater basins for resource management • Logical approach to community planning (collaborative process) • Promotion of community interest over self-interest

Barriers to Approach • Lack of inter-agency cooperation • Resistance to user pay principle • Consensus may not be achievable • Requirement for additional management level • Requirement for regular involvement of hydrogeologist • Lack of political will • Lack of community involvement

Barriers to Policy Implementation • Lack of technical expertise of policy makers • Lack of communication between earth scientists and policy makers • Disciplinary versus interdisciplinary viewpoints • Lack of understanding of politics by earth scientists

THANK YOU!