CTV - B.C. doesn't know where all its groundwater is going. Experts worry as drought looms
“I think increasingly, there’s an understanding from water users and the general public that we’re into an era where we’re going to have to be a lot more precise and inclusive when we make decisions around water, especially groundwater use.”
Paige Thurston, Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework program manager, right, completes a survey following a hydrometric install on Apex Creek in the Columbia Basin near Nelson, B.C. in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Living Lakes Canada
This article published by Brenna Owen at CTV News highlights the growing concerns surrounding water management in British Columbia, particularly in the face of looming drought conditions and climate change impacts. Residents like Kat Hartwig, who grew up in the Columbia River Valley, have witnessed significant changes in water availability and ecosystems over the years.
Despite these observations, the article highlights deficiencies in the province's monitoring and regulation of groundwater usage. Many groundwater license holders are not required to report their usage, leading to gaps in understanding the extent of extraction and its impacts. Efforts to regulate groundwater usage since 2016 have been met with challenges, including lower-than-expected uptake of licenses.
The absence of comprehensive mapping and monitoring of groundwater sources exacerbates the challenge. Experts like Oliver Brandes and Mike Wei emphasize the inadequacy of current data and infrastructure for effective water resource management. The province's Watershed Security Strategy aims to address these issues, focusing on enhancing monitoring and data collection to inform decision-making.
Community-based initiatives, such as Living Lakes Canada's water monitoring efforts in the Columbia Basin, underscore the importance of grassroots engagement in water management. However, funding cuts have hindered the sustainability of such programs, highlighting the need for continued support from the government.
Nathan Cullen, B.C.'s Minister for Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship, acknowledges the challenges and emphasizes the importance of community collaboration in addressing water scarcity. He recognizes the need for more comprehensive data and monitoring systems to inform sustainable water management practices.
Despite these efforts, concerns continue about the province's ability to respond effectively to water scarcity, as demonstrated by last summer's restrictions on water usage. Lack of transparency and proactive investment in water management undermine public confidence and exacerbate social conflicts during times of crisis.
In the context of addressing these challenges, the Canada1Water (C1W) project stands out as an essential initiative. The C1W project aims to analyze the effects of climate change on Canada's water resources, and offers decision-makers, policy analysts, and community planners user-friendly tools to navigate the challenges of ensuring a sustainable water supply in the coming decades and centuries. By integrating data-driven insights from projects like C1W, British Columbia and other provinces can better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity and drought in the face of a changing climate.
Click here to read the article at The CTV
“Coming together is the path forward, and that’s what we’re doing. That’s why we’re having those conversations in 20-plus communities already.”