Surface Water Quality

Surface water consists of all sources of water that are above ground such as; rivers, creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs and the ocean. All water is essential for life, while surface water provides healthy ecosystems, habitat for plants and animals, drinking water, irrigation, hydroelectricity and recreation. Protecting and conserving healthy surface water quality is essential in sustaining all natural services water provides.

The Municipality of North Cowichan is committed to monitoring water quality, remediating aquatic ecosystems and enforcing regulations to protect surface water in accordance with policies set by the Provincial Government such as; the Water Sustainability Act, the Water Protection Act, and Riparian Areas Protection Regulation.

To learn more about what you can do to protect our surface waters, check out the pages below.

• Disposal of Household Pollutants
• Heating Oil Tanks
• Septic Systems
• Waterfowl Impacts
• Working Near Water

Island Health is responsible for monitoring water quality at beaches in order to implement swimming advisories. Current swimming/beach advisories can be found on Island Health's website here.

 

Last edited: February 16, 2023.

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