Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Projects
The Drinking Water and Watershed Protection (DWWP) program is guided by an Action Plan. This Action Plan was originally developed in 2007 with the help of a steering committee that represented a variety of region-wide interests. It was most recently updated in 2020.
The initiatives of the DWWP program recognize the need to take a regional perspective to address protection of watersheds and drinking water in cooperation with the many other stakeholders in our region.
Team WaterSmart
Everyone can take actions that make a difference to protect and conserve our water. Team WaterSmart is our community outreach initiative to educate about our water resources. These pages give helpful suggestions for reducing your water use. Find our friendly staff hosting free workshops across our region and displaying an interactive booth at community events.
Learn more about Team WaterSmart.
Community Watershed Monitoring
We monitor our streams to gather water quality data and assess trends in the health of our watersheds. This is done through partnerships with local stewardship groups and the Ministry of Environment.
Learn more about Community Watershed Monitoring.
Water Budget
How much water is stored in our lakes, streams and aquifers? How does water move between these elements? Where is water being taken or used? These regional studies begin to answer these questions. Ongoing data collection and analysis is required with this phased project.
Learn more about our Water Budget.
Nanoose (Area E) Water Monitoring Program
Area E residents value a sustainable water supply. This Water Monitoring Program helps ensure the equitable sharing of the water resource. This program increases data collection of groundwater levels, streamflow, precipitation and water quality. This data helps improve our understanding of water availability and assist with decision-making on the land base.
Learn more about the Nanoose Water Monitoring Program.
Hydrometric and Climate Monitoring
Gathering local data on streamflow, stream level, precipitation and snowpack helps fill gaps in Federal and Provincial monitoring networks. This localized monitoring helps improve our understanding of regional water resources. The data can be used in more rigorous regional assessments. This monitoring is implemented on a priority basis and gathers long term data for tracking trends.
Learn more about Hydrometric and Climate Monitoring.
Groundwater Monitoring
Tracking groundwater levels in our region helps us understand the resource. Under the DWWP program, new observation wells have been added to the provincial monitoring network. Additionally, well owners in the region have added their wells to the pool of data.
Learn more about Groundwater Monitoring.
Academic Partnerships
Teaming up with universities is a great way to support water studies in our region. This is a new initiative of the DWWP program, as we aim to bridge academia with local water understanding and management.
Learn more about our academic partnerships.
Stewardship Seed Funding
RDN DWWP Stewardship Seed Funding supports environmental stewardship organizations within the region. Through the program, organizations are supported in completing restoration, enhancement, and research projects. These projects rehabilitate and monitor our local watersheds and protect the ecological and economic values of our natural systems.
Learn more about Stewardship Seed Funding.
Demonstration Sites & Interpretive Signage
The Demonstration Site & Interpretive Signage funding program supports the efforts of community organizations, stewardship groups, local government, and First Nations by offering to fund up to $5,000 for the installation or enhancement of demonstration sites and/or interpretive signage.
Learn more about Demonstration Sites & Interpretive Signage
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out our Past Projects.