Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

District of Sechelt

B.C.'s Sunshine Coast lifts state of emergency caused by drought

B.C.'s Sunshine Coast lifts state of emergency caused by drought

A state of local emergency in response to drought along British Columbia's Sunshine Coast has been lifted with water flow returning to a key water source. A statement from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), the District of Sechelt and shíshálh Nation says levels in the watershed have risen slightly because of snowmelt with warmer-than-expected temperatures. Leonard Lee, the regional district board chair, says staff have worked hard to ensure residents have had access to water through a 100-day summer drought and an unprecedented transition to freezing.

Sunshine Coast preparing to cautiously lift water ban Tuesday

Sunshine Coast preparing to cautiously lift water ban Tuesday

Some businesses and amenities on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast will soon be able to start using treated drinking water again after a severe drought in the area prompted a two-week ban. The Sunshine Coast Regional District, the District of Sechelt and the shíshálh Nation say an order banning non-essential businesses, including breweries and concrete, asphalt and gravel companies, from using water will be lifted Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.

SCRD declares Stage 4 water restrictions

SCRD declares Stage 4 water restrictions

Following weeks of hot and dry weather and ongoing high water use, Stage 4 water restrictions are in effect for the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) until further notice. The severe water conservation regulations, banning all outdoor use of drinking water, came into effect at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 10. The restrictions apply to those on the Chapman water system, which includes the District of Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay and parts of Elphinstone. A $500 fine applies to anyone found not complying. As of Aug. 9, the SCRD had issued 57 warnings and four fines since Stage 1 began in May. “Under these drought conditions, water use priorities focus on water for human health, firefighting and environmental flow requirements,” an Aug. 10 SCRD press release said.

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