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

Gulf Islands

Fighting to save crops - Vancouver Island drought: tourists asked to bring own water

Fighting to save crops - Vancouver Island drought: tourists asked to bring own water

At Michell Farms on the Saanich Peninsula, the pumps are working 24/7. Water is rushing out of wells at about 600 gallons a minute into a series of ponds, and then pushed through pipes to ­irrigation systems to keep the family’s crops alive and growing. With no measurable rain for nearly two months now, and nothing but heat in the forecast, water is becoming a precious resource. On many of the Gulf Islands, visitors are being asked to bring their own water. Residents are urged to do everything to preserve wells, aquifers and natural bodies of water. Some marinas aren’t filling water tanks for boaters.

Thompson-Okanagan region asked to cut water consumption by 30% amid ongoing drought

Thompson-Okanagan region asked to cut water consumption by 30% amid ongoing drought

The B.C. government is asking people in the Thompson-Okanagan region to reduce their water use by 30 per cent during ongoing drought conditions in many parts of the southern and central Interior. The province said Thursday in a written statement very low spring rainfall and extreme heat conditions in June and July have caused water scarcity and low flows.

Gulf Islands under some of the worst water shortages ever, authorities say

Gulf Islands under some of the worst water shortages ever, authorities say

After this summer's unprecedented heat wave across B.C., authorities in the Gulf Islands say the season's drought is one of the worst they've experienced in recent memory. "This is yet another year where we have a lot of concerns," said Peter Luckham, chair of the Islands Trust Council. He said he's noticed very low groundwater levels for this time of year on Thetis Island, where he lives.

Water shortage on Salt Spring Island sparks call for change

Water shortage on Salt Spring Island sparks call for change

Since Salt Spring Island's only public laundry facility closed in 2016, resident Cherie Geavreau has wanted to open a new one, but there's a big obstacle in the way. The local authority that regulates and distributes the island's water has placed a moratorium on water usage, and hasn't yet decided whether to allow the larger water pipe that Geavreau needs to run the laundromat efficiently.

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