Water is Life

by Alix HodsonDeggan  

Gabriola’s recharge areas need protection

Clean, clear water cycling through the environment is necessary for the survival of the island eco-systems.

Over-expanding human population and activities, especially where there is not enough water makes people and the environment more vulnerable to the water cycle, rather than resilient*1.

Natural ecosystems are the first line of defense against floods, droughts, hurricanes, heat waves and other mounting impacts of climate change*2. As the climate continues to warm, two-thirds of the global population is predicted to experience a progressive increase in drought conditions. We are also making the problems worse by development decisions…through ever expanding populations*3.

Gabriola has a unique ecosystem, hydrology, geology, topography and climate. To maintain a strong natural environment, it takes a healthy groundwater supply. Unfortunately, nature is unable to refill this at the pace that residents are currently extracting it and the result is falling groundwater levels*4. 

The lack of forests, protected recharge areas and growth limits have negatively impacted the island’s supply of groundwater.     

When rain falls

Trees are like geysers pulling water up from the soil and transpiring vapor from their stomata. When rainfall hits the ground, the tree roots, mycelium, and forest soil structure allow even more water to penetrate, thereby improving groundwater recharge. Precipitation filters through the entire forest watershed delivering pure, clean ground and surface water to the wells, streams and rivers, and ultimately the ocean *5.

Slow Water Process

Run-off and speeding surface water causes problems*6. Water shortage results when the recharge areas are not adequately resupplied.

To replenish the recharge areas we need forests, wetlands, peat lands and marshes. An non-fragmented forest canopy reduces evaporation from the ground, further increasing the amount of water available for recharge. The forest acts as a sponge and filter that slowly releases pure water through the soil.  Roots, large decaying fallen trees, and organic material hold water for slow, steady release throughout the year. 

During a rain event forests hold and release water one drop at a time**7. Healthy forests provide recharge through the process of Slow water. This process restores the natural slow phases of water to support local availability, flood control, carbon storage, and a myriad of other life forms*8.  Slowing water down allows rainwater enough time to filter into the groundwater.   

By cutting off slow water from  the land, underground storage is reduced, contributing to water scarcity*9.

Protecting recharge forested areas is critical. Managing recharge helps ensure that groundwater remains a reliable resource for the future.

Extraction of groundwater

As previously mentioned, the expanding demand on the groundwater directly impacts the supply and over-pumping can pull seawater inward underground*10. 

Excessive groundwater extraction can cause groundwater levels to decline resulting in seawater intrusion, land subsidence, aquifer collapse, stream flow depletion and wells running dry*11.

Over extraction leading to saltwater intrusion can influence all wells on the same water bearing strata. Salinated wells must not be used and are generally capped. The Water Sustainability Act states: that any well impacted by sea water intrusion must be altered or permanently decommissioned*12.

Inland pumping of deep wells tapping the core aquifer may have an influence on every well on the island close to the shoreline*13.      

Many neighborhoods on Gabriola have recently been identified as high to extreme Freshwater Footprint Hazard areas*14.

Bad Water Management  Can destroy a hydrologic system.

Strategic or managed systems as opposed to crisis driven retreat is necessary.  By planning proactively and including slow water solutions in individual zoning and land-use bylaws we can protect our groundwater recharge areas and the forests that resupply them.

Development and population density have a strong effect on the Groundwater quality 

On an island the risks are significantly higher, especially, when the groundwater also serves as drinking water. 

Studies have identified septic systems as significant sources of groundwater contamination including micro pollutants, like pharmaceuticals*15. Polluted groundwater poses serious risks to human health and the environment. Various human activities and natural processes can introduce harmful substances into aquifers, compromising water quality.

Water Quality issues on Gabriola include seawater intrusion and contaminants from septic systems. Total coliform bacteria were present in up to 60% of samples. E.coli bacteria were present in a third of samples, indicating groundwater contamination with fecal matter which could contain other pathogens such as viruses*16.

Type 1,2,3, septic systems do not filter out most pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (PPP’s) from sewage effluence. While type 3 systems, known as discharging systems, are more effective they are not designed to target synthetic chemical compounds*17. Very few pharmaceuticals are completely removed, for instance, chemotherapy and antibiotic drugs harm the beneficial bacteria in the septic system. PPP’s, polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances, forever chemicals, do not break down and lead to the contamination of the groundwater.  

Treated water discharged into a subsurface field in the soil and the saturated zone of the aquifer become your final lines of defense against persistent chemicals. High volumes of sewer can create a mound of treated effluence under the drain field. The pressure from this can accelerate the movement of contaminants toward the groundwater and its aquifer*18. If environmental protection is the goal, then a standard residential type 3 system is not enough to protect the groundwater from contamination. Densely populated areas such as small lots or multi-density housing units may well cause downstream pollution. The unique island environment makes the water supply very vulnerable*19.

Cistern Math

•     A tiny home with a roof that is approx. 4 metres(m) wide, by  7 m. long equals 28 square meters (m2) of surface

•     Rainfall on Gabriola is 950 millimeters (mm) annually

•     A roof of 28m2annually yields 26.8 m3 of water or 26,800 liters

•     All of this water would not be captured because of evaporation during smaller rain events leaks, spills, etc.

•     There are the costs of 2 large cisterns, plumbing and pumps filters and UV lights for such a system

•     Stats Canada show that domestic water consumption in BC is 268 liters (L) per person per day (these values may include light gardening)

•     Assuming 30% is used outdoors, the average person would use 190 liters per person per day

•     A two-person household would use 380 litres of water per day or 138,000 liters per year

•     Calculations show a shortfall of approximately 110,000 liters or 24,200 imperial gallons

•     That’s 12 truckloads at 2000 gallon per truckload delivered

•     Water currently costs about $250 per truckload. That’s an annual cost of $3,000 per year per 2-person household*20.

Endnotes:

1.     When the Forest Breathes, Suzanne Simard, Ch.4, pg77

2.     Natural ecosystems…climate change: Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience (Global Commission on Adaptation, 2019)12, https: //gca

3.     Water Always Wins, Erica Gies, Ch.1, pg. 18         

4.     Freshwater Footprint Groundwater Hazard Map, Figure 69, pg. 126

5.     When the Forest Breathes, Suzanne Simard, Ch.4, pg.77

6.     Erica Gies, Intro. pg 8

7.     Seeing the Forest Among the trees, Herb Hammond, Ch.1, pg.27.

8.     Water Always Wins, Erica Gies, Into, pg. 8     

9.     Erica Gies, Ch.1, pg. 23        

10.   Erica Gies, Ch.1, pg.26

11.   Rapid groundwater decline in aquifers, globally:, Jasechko, Seybold,  

Perrone, Fan, Natures portfolio

12.   B.C. Gov’t Water Sustainability Act, Section, 5B

13.   More Groundwater Notes, Nick Doe, Shale publ. #18, 2008, pg 56

14.   Islands Trust Freshwater Footprint, Hazard Map. pg.126,,Figure 59

15.   Islands Trust Freshwater Footprint, GW Solutions, pg. 124

16.   GW Solutions, pg.129

17.   US Geological Society

18.   Waste and Wastewater.com, Tertiary Treatment in Wastewater: Water Quality and Environmental Safety, seen online July 22, 2026

19.   On-line Waste and Wastewater engineer chat, July 2, 2026 20.   Calculations by Neil McCreedy, retired Vancouver Sewage Insp.