Managing a world-class aquifer is going to take a lot of work.
After four years and $500,000, the Town of Gibsons' aquifer mapping study's final report is recommending 15 major actions to monitor, conserve and protect the water supply for more than two-thirds of the town.
The final report was unveiled on May 16 to an overflow council chamber and greeted with sustained applause from more than 60 people in attendance.
"Thank you for the to-do list," Mayor Wayne Rowe told hydrogeologist Darren David of Waterline Resources.
Coun. Dan Bouman spoke with elation about the long-anticipated report.
"This is such a tremendous gift to the people of Gibsons. I'm just overjoyed by this report - by its depth and clarity," Bouman said.
The 111-page report, not including studies attached as appendices, concludes the Gibsons Aquifer should be able to meet future demand up to a population of 10,000, even under moderate to extreme climate change predictions.
"This assumes that 73 per cent of the population obtain water from Town wells," the report says. "This is also true under worst-case climate change conditions although a new well or wells will eventually need to be drilled some distance from the Coast to meet the additional demand for water."
Short-term recommendations include continued public engagement; Town well inspections and maintenance; establishing a groundwater management zone; compiling an inventory of potential chemical and contamination sources; and conducting site-specific investigations.
The last two recommendations came after elevated traces of chloride and fluoride were detected in the upper aquifer, known as the Capilano Aquifer, in the vicinity of the Gibsons and District Aquatic Facility at 913 Gibsons Way.
As well, two Town wells had trace concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which "may be related to sewage effluent or to a refrigerant source," the study says.
Speaking at the meeting, director of engineering Dave Newman said the source of CFCs could be the Town's old wastewater treatment plant.
While neither indicates "the sky is falling by any means," the two findings "are both evidence of how what we're doing on the surface can affect us," Newman said.
He also noted that several of the shorter-term recommendations had already been budgeted by council or included in the 2013 work plan.
Among longer-term measures, the study recommends capturing water now being diverted from the Town's artesian wells into the storm sewer system.
"There's water being diverted into the ocean. That water, if you add it all up, could service up to 500 residents in the town," David said during his presentation. "Don't put it into the ocean. Use it."
The study found about 55 per cent of the aquifer recharge originates in the Mount Elphinstone mountain block, while 45 per cent comes from local creeks and the shallower Capilano Aquifer.
"The deeper you go in the aquifer, the colder the water and the older the water," David said.
The study also recommends the Town establish protocols for drilling into the till protecting the aquifer; new monitoring wells; and a groundwater management plan developed in concert with the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Climate stations, setting water quality thresholds, ongoing mapping and identification of recharge areas, and more intensive water conservation initiatives were also recommended.
Asked by Coun. Charlene SanJenko for the report's "takeaway message" to the public, David said the main message is that the aquifer is a shared resource.
"Everyone drinks it every day and uses it every day and so whatever you do at the surface you really need to think of it in the context of potentially how it could impact the aquifer," he said. "That's the key message to the community."
The Town received $400,000 in grants for the project and contributed $100,000 since 2010.
