Tag Archives: Aquifer

Water

All about the Island Aquifers

This is the third in a series of articles about island aquifers. First, we spoke to the Quadra ICAN water security team members Jude McCormick, Kris Wellstein, Bernie Amell and Mike Gall about evidences that the groundwater supply is diminishing on Quadra Island. Then we reviewed some previous stories about this issue on Cortes Island.  Now we return to Quadra ICAN, where the water security team delve deeper into the issues affecting island aquifers.

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Water

All about registering groundwater wells

With the deadline for registering irrigation, commercial or industrial use wells fast approaching, the Quadra ICAN water security team is concerned that some people may miss out. 

According to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development press release, “A water licence is not required for a household well or groundwater used for domestic purposes, such as watering lawns and gardens. Domestic groundwater users are encouraged to register their well for free.” 

Kris Wellstein pointed out that water used for home industries like egg stands, market gardens and fruit trees (if the fruit is sold) is classified as commercial.  

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Water

Quadra Island’s water problem

Quadra Island’s groundwater appears to be disappearing. 

“We need to figure out where it’s going, how much we have that we don’t know about and then how we can make sure that not just the people on Quadra, but also the environment and businesses get what they need,” said Jude McCormick, leader of the Quadra ICAN water security team.  “It is a Herculean task and the first part is to make people aware that we have a problem.” 

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Environment

Quadra ICAN: Building community resilience through practical projects

“Our aim is to assist Quadra in becoming more resilient and self-sufficient in the face of impending ecological challenges. Our mandate is to organize and foster direct action on clearly defined practical projects.” – Quadra ICAN.ca

A decade ago, the first incarnation of ICAN (Island Climate Action Network) was responsible for getting a community garden started on Quadra. It also joined forces with Sierra Quadra to encourage Quadra’s retail sector to ban plastic bags, and started an anti-idling campaign. Team leader Leona Skovgaard traces the relaunch of the organization, now called Quadra ICAN, to a conversation that she and Jan Gladish had over tea.

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Water

Cortes Island aquifers: Rainwater, wells, salinization and climate change

CKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the level 4 ‘drought’ continues and some shallow well owners are concerned about their water supply, CKTZ News asked an expert about Cortes Island aquifers.

Dr Diana Allen is the head of the Groundwater Resources Research Group at Simon Fraser University. While she has not been to Cortes, Allen has been working on islands like Hornby, Mayne, Saturna and Salt Spring since 1996.

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