Post on 04-Jan-2016
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
Drought
Saline intrusion/Other contamination
Water well interference
Seismicity
Lack of alternative natural water sources
Time frame
Changing legislation
GROUNDWATER ISSUES
Conceptual Model for Groundwater Management
Evaluation
Monitoring
Re-Evaluation
Climate
GeophysicsGeology
Physical Setting
Governance
Legal
InstitutionalRisk
Drought
Contamination
Seismicity
Prescriptive Approach to Physical
Setting Investigations Approach Objective
Airphoto InterpretationVegetation types, geologic structure, bedrock lithology, surface water sources, geomorphology, topography, land use
Remote SensingVegetation type, geologic structure, bedrock lithology, geomorphology, surface water sources, topography
Geologic MappingGeologic structure, bedrock lithology, surficial geology, geomorphology, hydrogeologic properties
Geophysical Investigations
Geologic structure, bedrock lithology, soil type, hydrogeologic properties, saline water delineation
Water well dataSoil type and thickness, bedrock lithology and thickness, water bearing horizons, groundwater flow rates, groundwater levels
Climatic data Precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration
Laboratory data Water quality, bedrock porosity and permeability
Interaction of Natural Processes
CLIMATE
Inputs = Outputs + Changes in Storage
Water Balance Equation
P = R +/- O +/- G +/- S +/- I +/- C +/- M + E
Revised Water Balance Equation
W ATER AND LANDUSES
CLIMATE W ATER RESOURCES
W ATER MANAGEMENT
Relationship between climate and water resource management
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
140019
25
1930
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Year
Pre
cip
itat
ion
, m
mAnnual precipitation, 1925 – 2002
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
Month
Ave
rag
e M
on
thly
Pre
cip
itat
ion
, m
m
Average monthly precipitation
Year Months of Below 60% Normal Precipitation
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
Average Precipitation,
mm
% Below .8 of Average
Precipitation
% Below .6 of Average
Precipitation
Monthly 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
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Apr May Jun Jul AugSep Oct NovDec Jan Feb Mar
Month
Avera
ge M
on
thly
Tem
pera
ture
, C
AVERAGE MONTHLY TEMPERATURE
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
DRYING INDEX
GEOLOGY
• 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.
FACTORS INFLUENCING GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
from: Islands Trust Groundwater Toolkit, 2014
• 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
WATER AVAILABILITY, REQUIREMENT AND USE
Geophysical Measurements
• Freshwater/saltwater contact• Bedrock depth and degree of
fracturing• Fault Location• Variability of soil type and
thickness
Objectives of Geophysics
Southlands Drive Geophysical Section
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250
Chainage, metres
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
Dep
th, m
etre
s
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
Dep
th, m
etres
-500
1
3
7
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
60
70
80
90
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
50000
M odelled Resistiv ity(O hm -m etres)
Competent Bedrock Surface
Possible Buried Channel Location
W ater Table
hs = (Pf / (Ps-Pf))(hf)
Ghyben-Hertzberg Equation
Conceptual Groundwater Flow Model Medicine Beach
Fresh W ater
Groundwater Flow
Fresh W ater
Bedrock
Ocean
Salt W ater
POPULATION GROWTH
Pender Census 2006 2,181
Pender Census 2013 2,236
VIHA Projection 2033 2,840
Pender Census 2001 1,776
Land Use, North Pender Island
Rural Residential
Rural
Agriculture
Protected
Commercial
Institutional
0
20
40
60
80
Num
ber
of W
ater
W
ells
0.5 1.5 3 5 10 20 30 50
Water Well Production, gal/min
Histogram of Water Well Production, North Pender Island
All producing wells Minus 41 best producing wells
Range 0 to 378.5 lpm (100 gpm) 0 to 45.4 lpm (12 gpm)
Number of wells 504 463
Total Production 9019.7 lpm (2383 gpm) 4802.5 lpm (1268.8 gpm)
Average 17.87 lpm (4.72 gpm) 10.18 lpm (2.69 gpm)
Median 7.57 lpm (2 gpm) 7.57 lpm (2 gpm)
Standard deviation 32.3 lpm (8.5 gpm) 9.43 lpm (2.49 gpm)
Water Well Statistics – North Pender
Groundwater Basin NP-VIII
Groundwater Basin NP-VI
Groundwater Basin NP-VII
Groundwater Basin NP-I
Groundwater Basin NP-III
Groundwater Basin NP-IV
Groundwater Basin NP-II
Groundwater Basins – North Pender
Trincomali Improvement District
Razor Point Improvement District
Magic Lake Estates
Water Supply Systems, North Pender
OW283
SHORT BREAK
Land UseSouth Pender Island
Rural Residential
Agriculture
Forest Land Reserve
Protected
Commercial
48%
25%
8%
17.5%
05
1015202530354045
Nu
mb
er
of
Wate
r W
ell
s
0.5 1.5 3 5 10 20 30 50
Water Well Production, gal/min
Histogram of Water Well ProductionSouth Pender Island
All producing
wells
Minus 14 best
producing wells
Range 0 to 378.5 lp
(100gpm)
0 to 31.42 lpm (8.3
gpm)
Number of
wells 156 142
Average 15.1 lpm (4 gpm) 5.87 lpm (1.55 gpm)
Median 3.79 lpm (1 gpm) 3.79 lpm (1 gpm)
Standard
deviation 45.8 lpm (12.1 gpm) 5.87 lpm (1.55 gpm)
Water Well Statistics, South Pender
Groundwater Basins South Pender Island
Groundwater Basin SP-IV
Groundwater Basin SP-III
Groundwater Basin SP-II
Groundwater Basin SP-I
Storage Capacity TableSouth Pender Island
Groundwater Basin
AreaBedrock
FormationsPrimary Porosity
Storage Capacity
SP-I 2.4 km2 De Courcy 3.9 %1.87 x 1010 litres
4.94 x 109 gallons
SP-II 2.8 km2
De Courcy, Cedar,
Protection3.7 %
1.69 x 1011 litres4.47 x 1010 gallons
SP-III 0.56 km2
Protection, Pender,
Extension4.4 %
8.06 x 108 litres2.13 x 108 gallons
SP-IV 2.36 km2 Extension 5.6 %1.82 x 1010 litres
4.81 x 109 gallons
Groundwater Basins South Pender Island
Groundwater Basin SP-IV
Groundwater Basin SP-III
Groundwater Basin SP-II
Groundwater Basin SP-I
Schematic of groundwater resource management at the groundwater basin level for South Pender Island
SP-I
SP-IISP-III
SP-IV
INSTITUTIONAL
Governing Groundwater
• FederalPender Island Indian ReserveGreenburn ParkNorth Pender National Parks
• Provincial• Local
Interprovincial water issues
Agriculture
Significant national water issues
Health
Navigation
International water issues
Fisheries and Oceans
FEDERAL JURISDICTION
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
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;
LOCAL JURISDICTION
Coordination and consistencyLack of data for decision makingEffective monitoring Capturing a regional perspectiveRespective roles of federal, provincial and local agenciesRespective 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
WATER MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS
•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.
ISLANDS TRUST ROLE IN GROUNWATER SUSTAINABILITY
• 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.
examples of effective OCP policy areas for aquifer and groundwater protection:
• 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.
Land Use Bylaw - Zoning
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;
1) Is the MOE’s information about groundwater sufficient to ensure the sustainability of the resource?
B.C. Auditor General 2010
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 10th 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
Scientific and
Technical
Water conservation, recycling, water
saving technology including retrofitting,
leakage control, crop variety, cropping
patterns, crop breeding, crop substitution
Economic Subsidies, incentives, tax and price policy,
tariffs
Legal and
Administrative
Water law, water rights, licenses,
regulations, penalties, enforcement
Operational Operating rules, water allocations
Educational Capacity building, awareness raising,
media, communication
Political Priorities, objectives
Methods of Water Use Efficiency
FixtureRate of Use,
1970
Rate of
Use, 1992
Rate of
Use, 2003Annual Savings 1970-2003
Showerhead2 10 litres/min 6 litres/min 4 litres/min 54312 litres
ClothesWasher3 N/a 8 litres/min 6 litres/min 9052 litres
Dishwasher4 N/a40
litres/load
26
litres/load4380 litres
Toilet520 litres/
flush6 litres/flush
3.8 litres/
flush77424 litres
Faucet619
litres/min
6
litres/min
2
litres/min153884 litres
Savings per household from changing to water efficient fixtures
Location Fixed Charge Consumption
Charge
Average Annual
Cost Magic Lake
Estates $189.00 Nil $189.00
Razor Point Road
$200.00 Nil $200.00
Trincomali 190.00 Nil $190.00 Greater Victoria
$94.45 $0.7048 $314.60
Vancouver Flat annual rate
per single family residence
Nil $271.00
Calgary (metered)
(unmetered)
$119.04 $540.00
$0.9015/m3
Nil $389.49 $540.00
Comparison Water System Costs, 2005
Conceptual Model for Water Management and Community Planning
Ph
ysical S
etting
Go
verna
nce
Risk
Community Planning
Clim
ateG
eolo
gy
Geo
ph
ysicsA
irph
oto
Leg
al
Institu
tion
alS
eismicity
Dro
ug
ht
Co
ntam
inatio
n
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
• 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
Barriers to Policy Implementation
THANK YOU!