The Lower Crown reservoir portion of the water security project of the shíshálh Nation in cooperation with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is still awaiting permits to proceed, according to MP Patrick Weiler, (West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast).
Coast Reporter was unable to speak with a Nation representative about the project in advance of deadline, but on Jan. 17, Weiler stated that the Nation has approvals for development work at that site. He said he anticipated full permission to proceed with that 800,000 cubic metre storage facility where water will be collected during the wet months for distribution to the community during drier times will be forthcoming shortly. As the site is a “brown field” (one already disturbed for an industrial use) the MP said permitting is subject to less stringent environmental reviews.
Weiler indicated he has been advised of an estimated 2027 completion date for that portion of a larger project that was granted $117,179,667 by the federal government on Jan. 16. That funding is “a 100 per cent grant," he said, with no requirement on the recipients to match any portion of those dollars and the grant proceeds will be available up to 2032.
When the Nation announced its intentions to explore reservoir development in May 2023, it had aspired to have that facility ready for use in just over a year.
Two reservoirs and water treatment expansion planned
A fact sheet circulated in support of that funding announcement details the project has two phases. The first, the Lower Crown reservoir, is to be built in a mined-out section of the Heidelberg Material’s Sechelt mine and will include a “geomembrane liner underlain by a non-woven geotextile” to protect the quality of the stored water.
The existing SCRD Chapman Creek intake infrastructure will be used to draw water from that reservoir, with a system of pumps and pipelines to facilitate flows back to the Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant for processing and distribution. The document emphasizes that no upgrades to that plant will be required for Phase 1 of the project.
Phase 2, according to the fact sheet, aims to establish a reservoir with a 1.5 million cubic metre capacity. Two locations are under investigation, with the goal to select one to “maximize benefits for the Sunshine Coast."
SCRD to continue water diversification efforts
With the initial reservoir slated to arrive in about two years, the SCRD indicated it will continue its focus and capital planning for Chapman and other system water supply enhancements in 2025.
“At this time, these projects will proceed as planned, reflecting the SCRD Board’s commitment to diversifying our water sources. This approach ensures we are not solely reliant on a single source, whether it’s surface water, such as Chapman Lake, or groundwater, like the Church Road Well Field Project,” regional district communications manager Aidan Buckley told Coast Reporter in a Jan. 20 email.
There is considerable background work the regional district needs to complete before any reservoir water becomes part of its supply system. In May 2024, the SCRD Board received a report that outlined along with technical and engineering type considerations, elector approval, via referendum or alternative approval process, of any agreements between the Nation and the SCRD for joint efforts in water supply may be required.
While no date for Phase 1 groundbreaking ceremonies has been communicated, Weiler stated he “absolutely” plans to be on the Coast to attend, whenever that event is scheduled.
