Protect Water Quality
We all have a role to play in protecting our water quality. Wherever you live; whether you are on well water & septic, or city water & sewer; there are simple precautions you can take to make sure our water stays clean and safe.
Being aware of our region's vulnerable areas and the pathways that contaminated water may take to get to them is key to reducing our impact on habitats and drinking water sources.
Vulnerable Areas
Vulnerable Aquifers
Vulnerable aquifers are aquifers that are more susceptible to contamination from activities on the surface, such as pesticide use or improper disposal/ storage of hazardous waste.
In the RDN, we have several areas that are over top of vulnerable aquifers. These aquifers also provide drinking water to people on private wells. Residents of these areas need to be aware that their actions on the surface have a very direct impact on the groundwater beneath them!
Generally speaking, Vulnerable Aquifers are near the ground surface, have a greater net recharge (lots of water flows into the aquifer), and are covered by a permeable type of soil such as sand and gravel.
Riparian Ecosystem
The Riparian Ecosystem encompasses the areas alongside a stream or river. They are very important for protecting water quality and providing habitat. Trees, shrubs and grasses along a river act to stabilize the riverbank and filter any water before it reaches the stream.
If vegetation in this area is grazed or removed, there are no plant roots to hold the soil in place and the banks are prone to erosion. When the stream banks erode, soil and sediment enters the water, making it cloudy and smothering fish habitat.
Vegetation along stream banks slows the rush of water into the river when it rains and filters sediments and contaminants in the soil before they enter the waterway. If you have a stream on your property, keep its banks vegetated!
Check out the Pacific Stream Keepers Federation for information and certification courses near you! For information on government grants for environmental farm projects, see this list of funded Best Management Practices at the B.C. Environmental Farm Plan website.Electoral Areas and Municipalities have regulations in place to project riparian areas. For example, the Official Community Plans for RDN Electoral Areas contain Freshwater and Fish Habitat Development Permit Areas that pertain to mapped and unmapped streams, wetlands, lakes and ponds, requiring setbacks and protective measures. Find the specific bylaws here: https://rdn.bc.ca/bylaws-policies-forms-maps under "Official Community Plan Bylaws", generally found under "Development Permit Areas"
Stormwater Run-Off
When precipitation reaches the ground, the water can infiltrate - into the soil and aquifers below ground, or travel across the land surface into a watercourse, ditch or drain. The latter is what we call stormwater run-off, referring to rain or melted snow that has not absorbed into the ground. In nature, rainfall is slowly absorbed through the soil - filtering out pollutants and the ground. In nature, rainfall is slowly absorbed through the soil - filtering out pollutants and replenishing the groundwater aquifers as well as traveling sub-surface to streams.
In urban areas, where the majority of surfaces are impermeable (concrete, pavement, roofs) stormwater is directed into storm drains.
Most drains you see at the side of the road are storm drains. Any water or "run-off" that goes down these storm drains usually leads directly to either the ocean or into a river or creek. Water that goes into a storm drain is not cleaned or treated.
After a downpour, anything that has been sitting on the ground surface gets picked up and is spread across the landscape. It could be an oil slick on your driveway or pesticides sprayed on your lawn. Those substances pollute the run-off that ends up in the storm drains and then in our waterways.
You may have seen fish painted beside these storm drains - that is an indication that there are habitats at the other end of the pipe that will be affected by what washed down there.
Climate change has caused a decrease in the overall number of rainfall events in our region, however, the intensity in which they occur has increased causing more flash floods and adding strain on our stormwater systems and receiving environments.
For more information on stormwater management in your area please visit rdn.bc.ca/storm-water
Storm Drains
Most drains you see at the side of the road are storm drains. Any water or "run-off" that goes down these storm drains usually leads directly to either the ocean or into a river or creek. Water that goes into a storm drain is not cleaned or treated.
After a downpour, anything that has been sitting on the ground surface gets picked up by the rainwater and is spread across the landscape. It could be an oil slick on your driveway or pesticides sprayed on your lawn. Those substances pollute the run-off that ends up in the storm drains and then in our waterways.
You may have seen fish painted beside these storm drains - that is an indication that there are habitats at the other end of the pipe that will be affected by what washes down there.
Mid Vancouver Island Storm Drain Marking program Fisheries and Oceans Canada Storm Drain Marking program
So what can you do to reduce stormwater run-off and promote infiltration?
Retain - Increase the storage capabilities of your property to slow down the movement of stormwater. You can do this by incorporating rain gardens and swales
Detain - Store rainwater in cisterns, rain barrels, or ponds for later use when required.
Reuse - Water consumption doubles in the summertime due to outdoor use and recreation. Use your stored rainwater for watering your gardens in the summertime when our drinking water resources are at their most strained.
Increase permeable surfaces
More permeable surfaces (where water can sink in) on your property mean less water "runs-off" into the storm drain; more water is filtered through the soil to refill the groundwater. Permeable surfaces like gravel and soil act as a sponge and prevent 'flash floods' when it rains.
- If re-paving your driveway, think about using pervious materials instead like gravel, pavers or porous concrete
- Soil Is a sponge! Add topsoil to your lawn and garden
- Construct a rain garden
Be WellSMART
The WellSmart education program helps private well owners protect the quality and supply of their drinking water. As a private well owner, you have access to one of nature's most valuable resources - cool, clean groundwater. You rely on this precious resource to supply clean, safe drinking water to your family.
Learn more by visiting the WellSMART page.
Be SepticSMART
SepticSmart is an educational program that provides homeowners with information on how their septic system works and how to care for it.
Learn more by visiting the SepticSMART page.
Check out the RDN's Sustainable Site Planning Guide to learn more about how to protect water quality on your property by understanding natural systems, site layout, servicing and more.
Proper Disposal and Alternative Products
Water quality can be impacted if we are not careful with how we dispose of unwanted products. Old paints, pesticides, cleaners, pharmaceuticals, etc. should be taken to the appropriate Household Hazardous Waste disposal facility.
Never dump anything down a storm drain
If waste is disposed of down the drain or toilet, it could directly impact the drinking water of those on well and septic. Septic systems and sewer treatment plants cannot remove all of the chemicals that some household products contain.
Even after going through a treatment plant, some chemicals that don't break down easily can enter the environment in trace amounts, eventually accumulating into amounts large enough to impact aquatic habitat.
What can you do?
- Find a recycling facility near you to dispose of used motor oil or other toxic liquids
- Wash your car over grass or gravel or at a commercial car wash centre where their water is typically recycled and treated on-site.
- Still unsure? Ask us > watersmart@rdn.bc.ca
For more information, please visit the:
Find out how to properly dispose of hazardous items!
WaterSmart Alternative Products
Many products available as household cleaners, cosmetics or pesticides can contain chemicals that are harmful to our health and harmful to the environment. There are many natural recipes to try at home, so why not make your own non-toxic alternatives! It's fun and thrifty too.
- David Suzuki Foundation's "Queen of Green" Cleaning Recipes
- Georgia Strait Alliance's Toxic Smart solutions.
