The Gabriola Groundwater Management Society did a Domestic Water Study on Gabriola in 2006. At that time we sent it to our year round residents in April.
The results then showed that people on Gabriola did collect rainwater and did use it for gardening (mainly) and also for some domestic uses. We have shared these findings with the Ministry of Environment and other Non Government Agencies (Vancouver Island Water Watch, Water Across the Islands, the Mayne Island Integrated Water Systems Society and other community water organizations). It was the only study of its kind at that time.
This year we are proud to present our Domestic Water Use Questionnaire for all our Island residents, year round and summer.
You will find this questionnaire in this edition of this newspaper as an insert.
Please return the completed questionnaire to GGMS mailboxes situated at Arbutus Building Supply, the Gabriola Co-Op Convenience Store, Raspberries and the Coastal Community Credit Union.
Additional water questionnaire forms can be picked up at these same locations.
By completing this questionnaire you are helping us determine how we access our water supply, from what source we take it and how it is being used. This information is also the key to helping Gabriolans to plan and create a sustainable water supply for themselves now and in the future.
In the hydrologic cycle we believe that there are three sources of water: surface water, groundwater and atmospheric water. It is this last source that concerns us most.
We can harvest this atmospheric water (rain, dew, fog) in a number of ways and we can store it and use it at need. Water harvested and used domestically returns to the aquifer and recharges that aquifer in times of aquifer stress (the dry season). To further stress aquifers in this dry season by bulk water extraction and shipping it out of the originating aquifer area, depletes that aquifer with no hope of immediate recharge.
We realize that historically many wells on Gabriola go dry at different times and only recover when the rains come in late summer or fall. The trend for the last ten years is that our water levels are falling further each dry season, but they return to original water levels in the winter after the rains start. It is the increasingly low falling water levels in the dry season that can contribute to more wells going dry and static water levels in wells falling dramatically lower than in the past.
Conservation is our best strategy. To increase the recycle and re-use of this precious natural resource by water catchment is to create the best strategy to adapt to dryer summers and wetter winters. This is a direct response to the science that has come out of the United Nations document on Adaptation to Climate Change*.
We are working with as many agencies as possible to find grants to enable anyone to upgrade their water systems to include water catchment and storage. These grants would enable anyone in financial need to upgrade to this kind of water system. So far there are no such grants, but there have been in the past and we will continue to lobby for their return.
When you practice good water conservation methods, remember that other creatures on this island, from bees to frogs, birds and mammals, also need a reliable water source to survive. Provide this resource to them and you will be rewarded by ecological strength and stability around your property and this contributes to the ecological stability of Gabriola Island.
Jenny MacLeod
President
GGMS
For more information call
250 247-9601
*United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
1F COCcCto/bSeBr S2T0A07/2 007/6
SUMMARY: This report presents a synthesis of information and views submitted by Parties and relevant organizations on technologies for adaptation to climate change at the regional, national and local
levels in different sectors. The report also synthesizes views on needs for, concerns with, and
experiences and lessons learned from developing, deploying and transferring such technologies and identifies issues for further consideration.
9. Taking the number of Parties reporting key vulnerabilities by sector as a rough indicator of the
relative significance of their vulnerabilities, the agriculture sector emerges as the most significant (80% of Parties), followed by water resources (76%), coastal and marine (59%), terrestrial
(forest) ecosystems (57%), human health (50%) and finally other sectors including
biodiversity, energy, human settlements and tourism (37%). (see footnote 3)
3 These percentages are drawn from table 3 of the sixth compilation and synthesis of initial national communications
(FCCC/SBI/2005/18).
E-LINK:
http://unfccc.int/documentation/documents/advanced_search/items/3594.php?such=j&keywords="adverse%20effects%20of%20climate%20change"#begGabriola Groundwater Management Society Domestic Water-Use Questionnaire
(Anonymous and general)To help us collect data on the management and consumption of our water, please answer the following questions:
(Please mark all that apply. Additional comments are welcome.)
1. What is your main source of water? Well ... Cistern filled by rainwater collection ... Cistern filled by water delivery ... Combination
.
2. How many people live in your house? Summertime ... Year round...
3. Do you have a water purification system? Yes
No
Please describe:
UV ... Distillation ... Reverse osmosis ... Particulate
Ceramic
Combo
Other ..........
Whole-house type ... Installed in house ... Installed in pump house ...
Under sink type ... Under which sink? Kitchen
Bathroom
Other
4. A How many cisterns do you have? ... What size ... Total gallons collection capacity ...
B How many cisterns are connected to your roof? ... Total gallons collection capacity
5. How do you use your collected rainwater? Drinking ... Cooking ... On the garden ... Washing the car ... Flushing the toilet ... Laundry ... Other?
.
6. A Do you buy bottled drinking water? Every week
Every month
Never ...
B Do you buy bulk (delivered by truck) water? Every week
Every month
Never ...
7. A Do you have a well-watcher? Yes ... No ...
B Do you keep a well log? Yes
No
Make notes? Daily ... Weekly ... Other ...
8. Would you be willing to share your well data / readings with GGMS? Yes
No ...
9. A Do you use water for agriculture? Yes ... No ...
B Do you use water for horticulture? Yes ... No ...
10. Has your well ever gone dry? Yes ... No
If so, in what year/month did it occur? .......... How often does it occur? Yearly ... In extremely dry years only ...
11. Do you re-use your "grey-water"? Bath
shower
laundry
Other
.
Any Further Comments?
Thanks so much for completing this survey.
REMEMBER, WE HAVE TO BE GOOD WATER STEWARDS
Neither The Gabriola Groundwater Management Society nor any of its members can be held responsible for the results of this questionnaire. The Gabriola Management Society is not responsible for any loss or damages (including lost profits, lost income, lost savings or any incidental or consequential damage) resulting directly or indirectly from this questionnaire.
Domestic Water-Use Questionnaire on Reverse
Please return completed questionnaire to GGMS mailboxes situated at Arbutus Building Supply, the Gabriola Co-Op Convenience Store, Raspberries and the Coastal Community Credit Union.
Additional water questionnaire forms can be picked up at these locations.
By completing this questionnaire you are helping us determine how our water supply is being used and how we can help Gabriolans to create a sustainable water supply for themselves now and in the future.
Conservation is our best strategy. To increase the recycle and re-use of this precious natural resource by water catchment is to create the best strategy to adapt to dryer summers and wetter winters. This is a direct response to the science that has come out of the United Nations document on Adaptation to Climate Change*.
When you practice good water conservation methods, remember that other creatures on this island, from bees to frogs, birds and mammals, also need a reliable water source to survive. Provide this resource to them and you will be rewarded by ecological strength and stability around your property and this contributes to the ecological stability of Gabriola Island.
Jenny MacLeod
President
GGMS
For more information call
250 247-9601