Editors note: The following is a comment from a VIWWC Member on the main article below :
This entire principle of proving water prior to building is extremely necessary in todays climate.
A member of the small Parksville group I meet with pointed out that an article on the subject policy was carried in the local newspaper – PQB NEWS Aug. 20 edition – page A12. I think I missed it because I was like a bulldog trying to find something else last week in that edition. I have copied and pasted the text below.
The sentence highlighted blows me away. If my memory serves me, we used way less than 1 cubic metre per day last summer and I don’t remember the watering restrictions being as severe as this summer. We (Marion) does only hand-held hose spraying of plants, shrubs and trees on a daily basis – no lawn watering period. How are they ever going to guarantee “a minimum of 3.5 cubic metres of potable water daily year-round” if restrictive use of water precludes even hitting such volumes? Why do they even suggest they are shooting for such “design” volumes? Is that the daily volume required to fight the wildfire that might threaten our communities?
By the way, Trevor Wicks called me out of the blue last night to ask whether I had seen the flow chart for the Englishman River. I had seen it a few days ago and the flow was about 1 cubic metre per second which is barely in compliance with what I thought was the most recent requirement by ministry. The original requirement back in 2000 was 1.6 cubic metres per second (cms) at the Orange Bridge. This is the info I give to the periodic meeting of VIWWC:
The Englishman River discharge graphs can be found at:
https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=08HB002
Back in 2000 we were led to believe that 1.6 cms was the discharge needed for only FAIR spawning and rearing habitat. Sept. is spawning time in the Englishman River. Keep in mind the only real salmon habitat in the main stem of the Englishman is from the foot of the falls in the Provincial Park down to the ocean – I think about 16 km. That portion of the river includes the side channels as part of a hatchery complex. There are several tributaries feeding that stretch of the river which probably depend on good flow in the river during spawning season.
Here is City of Parksville AWS and ERWS report for July and part of August:
https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID714atID12519.pdf
Michael
RDN wants to make sure created parcels have sufficient water supply
Michael Briones
Aug 13, 2025
The Regional District of Nanaimo is planning to standardize the process required to satisfy proof of water requirements for any proposed subdivision plan.
The RDN wants to make sure each parcel that would be created through subdivision has a minimum of 3.5 cubic metres of potable water daily year-round.
A draft of proof of water policy has been established and presented at the RDN board’s regular meeting before the summer break last month.
The policy requires a well be drilled, pump tested and water quality assessment to be conducted on each proposed parcel. And that only a drilled well or source of surface water licensed for the intended use will be considered acceptable source of potable water.
Before the draft could be finalized, staff will consult experts in the field of well-drilling and pump-testing, hydrogeology and land use consultants who have vast experience with subdivision in the regional district.
The RDN board approved staff’s consultation plans, which aims to draw feedback on the proposed proof of water policy.
Another Article on this topic:
Proof of water policy for subdivision in the works at RDN
- Claudia Culley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Gabriola Sounder
- Jul 31, 2025
The Regional District of Nanaimo is moving forward with creating a Proof of Water for Subdivision policy to identify and standardize the process needed to complete the RDN “proof of water” zoning bylaw requirements when subdividing.
These requirements call for the RDN to confirm that each land parcel proposed to be developed through subdivision has at least 3.5 cubic metres of potable water per day year-round.
This responsibility used to fall into the Provincial Subdivision Approving Officer’s authority but was changed to the RDN’s in response to challenges around confirmation that adequate water supply is available and inconsistent pumping tests and treatment requirements, among other concerns.
The RDN has since drafted a Proof of Water for Subdivision Policy, which requires that a well be drilled and pump tested, and that a water quality test be performed on each proposed parcel to show it fulfills the potable water requirements.
The policy would apply where RDN zoning bylaws require proof of water at the time of subdivision, which is currently limited to Bylaw 2500 but would be applied to future zoning bylaws should proof of water be a requirement.
It also outlines that only a drilled well or licensed surface water would be considered acceptable sources of potable water, requires confirmation that wells have been constructed under the provincial Groundwater Protection Regulation and confirmation that pumping tests were completed by a qualified professional.
Pumping tests under the draft policy are to take place July through October when water tables are at their lowest to confirm each well meets the potable water requirement. Testing can occur outside of these months with confirmation from a professional hydrogeologist that the well is a high producer of water and minimally effected by season changes.
A water sample from each well must also be collected and sent to a certified laboratory to measure the potable water parameters as listed in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water. Should the test show that water treatment is required for potability, a qualified professional must find out whether the water is in treatable condition.
If a drinking water treatment system is required, the RDN requires the applicant, at their expense, register a Section 219 Covenant indicating that a drinking water treatment system needs to be installed and operational prior to occupancy or final building inspection.
As approved by the RDN board, staff will start consulting with experts in the well drilling, pump testing and hydrogeology fields as well as provincial regulatory bodies and land use consultants with subdivision experience in the region. This engagement plan will provide the board with expert and regulatory body perspectives on the proposed Proof of Water for Subdivision policy.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
https://www.pentictonherald.ca/spare_news/article_85451e57-da86-53dc-b4ec-831075b85306.html
