Navigating water management on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia
If you’re a resident of the Sunshine Coast, BC, or are considering a move to the Sunshine Coast, it is helpful to have at least a basic understanding of water management. The Lower Sunshine Coast is a unique place for water, and some areas of the Sunshine Coast face persistent hydrological challenges. We are surrounded by water, and water activities play a huge part in life on the coast; whether boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, or enjoying beach days, most people on the coast spend time on, in, or beside the water at some point throughout the year.
Sechelt [the largest town on The Sunshine Coast] itself even holds the nickname “Land between two waters”, as the town is sandwiched between the Sechelt Inlet on one side and the Strait of Georgia (the Pacific Ocean) on the other side. However, each year, in certain areas during summer, we experience a drought and get perilously close to running out of water. Around the end of Spring each year, we are required to observe Water Conservation regulations in efforts to conserve the water supply.
Inversely, quite the opposite can happen during the winter months, with heavy rainfall (one of the perks of living in coastal British Columbia!) and the humidity and wetness that comes from living in a coastal rainforest, at the base of mountains. Annual rainfall is about 87.6 inches, and when compared to the average annual rainfall in nearby Vancouver (lovingly nicknamed Raincouver) at 92.6 inches, you'll understand everything you need to know. We’re not too far behind. Meaning it's a bit wet here.
If there is an excessive amount of water in winter, and not enough in summer, it makes sense to divert and store what you can in winter and use the reserves for your yard in the summer. It’s a simple theory that checks two boxes:
Water run-off management during the rainy season.
Water for usage in the dry season, when supply is limited
In a place where the balance of water is somewhat volatile, water management is a vital part of maintaining and protecting property, quality of life, and ecosystems - both aquatic and terrestrial - meaning we must ensure we are optimizing the resource and doing our best to manage it, on an individual basis and as a community.
There are some vital factors to consider when taking water management into account and the two we’re focusing on are:
Stormwater Management and Rainwater Management.
While these strategies might initially seem similar, they have distinct objectives.
Here's how to approach the distinction between Stormwater Management and Rainwater Management.
Stormwater Management - is a preventative measure that seeks to prevent the waterways in a particular area from becoming polluted by ensuring the excess water in the environment (generally from heavy rains and snow melt) doesn’t flow over non-porous materials, pass over too many pollutants and gets to the rivers, lakes, and streams as efficiently and as cleanly as possible. The main focus here is to prevent the water from becoming polluted and avoid flooding - which can lead to property damage and can cause land/soil erosion in places.
Rainwater Management - is a resource conservation approach that seeks to collect water during the rainy season so it can be utilized later, which [in areas where water can become scarce] reduces the need for people to use local water sources for certain purposes such as landscaping maintenance. One of the primary focuses of rainwater management is harvesting, collecting, and storing rainwater, which in turn can also help with macro stormwater management efforts on a micro-scale.
A balancing act
Another important factor to consider when considering water management while living, renovating or building a house on the Sunshine Coast is the effect water-related damage has on infrastructure and quality of life. Living in a community that is reliant on one highway means flooding and excess water on the road could result in closures or blockages of the highway. This could present a significant problem for the Sunshine Coast, given that there's only one road in/out for most of the way along the coast. Conversely, as climate change intensifies and extreme weather events become more common, the prospect of insufficient water in the summer months is alarming.
Water management strategies
While individuals are limited in what they can do, collecting rainwater and minimizing stormwater run-off are great starting points. We are fortunate to have many water systems that are home to an abundance of marine life such as salmon, orca, humpback whales, and much more, so It’s important to keep water on the coast as clean as possible.
One of the great opportunities you have if you’re building a house on the Sunshine Coast or renovating a property over here, is the chance to make eco-friendly choices, and prioritize going green and sustainability. Some great innovative measures can go a long way in helping with water management:
Porous Paving - Selecting materials that allow water to permeate through to the ground, means increased water absorption, rather than runoff in areas it shouldn’t be.
L: Porous paving slabs | R: Rain Chains
Rain Chains - These can be used in addition to downspouts and are a decorative way of moving rainwater from gutters/the top of roofs to drains or water-harvesting containers.
Rain Gardens - A rain garden is a landscape feature designed to increase the absorption of rain runoff in your yard. A 12-18 inch hole is dug and the soil treated, and filled with plants, shrubs, and flowers in the small depression
Rain Barrels/Retention Tanks - These are simple storage containers designed to collect and store rainwater from rooftops. Placed directly under a downspout or a rain chain, rain barrels provide a handy source of water for gardens and landscaping. They not only help conserve water but also reduce runoff which can lead to erosion and contamination of nearby waterways.
Green Rooftops - Also known as "living roofs," green rooftops are covered with vegetation and soil, providing an organic additional layer of insulation to buildings. These rooftops absorb rainwater, reducing the amount of runoff. Plus, they offer a lucrative habitat for birds and insects, and can be a great aesthetic addition when building a house
Gardening with native plants - Using plants native to your region is a smart and sustainable choice for landscaping. Native plants are accustomed to local rainfall patterns and soil types, so they typically require the amount of water provided each season. They also support local wildlife, including birds, bees, and butterflies, promoting biodiversity in your yard. Gardening with native plants not only reduces the need for irrigation but also prevents water runoff and helps in water absorption.
We are fortunate to have some local businesses/artisans who create solutions for a few of these water management techniques, including:
Rain Catchers- Providing Rainwater Harvesting solutions such as water retention tanks
Rain Farmers - Installs rainwater collection, storage, and irrigation systems
This is It- Sunshine Coast artist Robert Studer of This is It Studio brings an aesthetic edge with these beautifully crafted rain chains
Although it’s important to take action with implementing sustainable water management systems on your property, where possible, beyond that it’s also a good idea to generally be mindful of the amount of water you use. The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and Sunshine Coast Tourism offer some great tools for this.
Are you interested in going green and looking to build a custom home, renovate or hire a general contractor? We would love to hear from you!
Schedule a Call with Kale, or contact us to set up an appointment.
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