Bluewater Park Water System is currently experiencing a reduction in capacity to the existing wells that support the Water System. This is resulting in diminished water supply during a time that is already experiencing earlier and drier weather conditions. As King Edward Bay wells are supplementing the shortage, Bowen Island Municipality is continuing water restrictions for Bluewater Park and King Edward Bay Water Systems. Stage 4 of the Water Conservation Guidelines should be followed.
Please do not:
- Water lawns or gardens.
- Use garden hoses, irrigation systems, sprinklers or hand watering with watering cans.
- Fill pools, hot tubs or fountains.
- Wash driveways, sidewalks, vehicles, boats or other equipment.
- Use power washers.
You can conserve water by:
- Shortening your shower by 2 minutes can save 40 litres of water.
- Turning off taps when brushing your teeth can save 10 litres of water.
- Cutting down on flushing your toilet. Every time you flush you use up to 14 liters of water.
- Mulching around trees and shrubs to retain water in the soil.
- Adding compost to the soil in your garden to maintain soil moisture.
- Keeping a jug or pitcher of drinking water in the fridge to avoid running the tap until it gets cold.
How long will this last?
Water restrictions are expected to continue through the month of June.
Two new wells have been drilled in the Bluewater Park area. Before additional water from these wells can be used to supply the reservoir, a certified pump installation company needs to install pumps and wiring. Only then will it be known how much additional water can be supplied through these new wells. As a next step, water samples need to be taken and sent to an environmental laboratory for water quality testing. Once the results have been received together with the schematics and well logs, Vancouver Coastal Health, if satisfied with the results, will issue a Permit to Operate. The wells can then be connected to the Bluewater Park water system, and the water restrictions may be lifted.
Bowen Island Municipality has contracted a professional engineer to provide overall management of the Bluewater Park and King Edward Bay water systems during the current water shortage, and to undertake a review of the systems to develop a sustainable long term plan. A community meeting will be held once the engineer has reported back to Council.
Read the Staff Report to Council dated June 10, 2019
How to get updates:
When more information becomes available, we will post updates on the ALERTS page, and you will receive updates by e-mail. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to neighbours in the area and encourage them to SUBSCRIBE to our e-newsletter to get updates.
Questions?
Please contact Public Works at 604-947-0613 or bim@bimbc.ca.
