With 2022's highest temperatures to date forecasted by Environment Canada (EC) for the Coast over Sunday and Monday (June 26 and 27), the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is keeping a keen eye on its water systems.
“Water treatment plant operators are preparing for higher creek flows and are ready to adjust our treatment process to ensure that drinking water quality is maintained to our high standards,” SCRD manager of communications and engagement Aidan Buckley told Coast Reporter by email.
On June 24, EC issued a special weather statement about the year’s first stretch of hot weather for B.C.’s south coastal areas. High daily temperatures on the Coast are projected to reach 28 C. A cooling trend is forecast to bring the mercury’s daily high point back into the teens by Tuesday (June 28) and through to Canada Day.
Buckley explained that utilities staff and automated controls adjust water quantity around the SCRD water distribution system to ensure correct reservoir levels are maintained for drinking water and fire protection during hot and dry spells.
“Monitoring of creek flows in Chapman Creek is an ongoing task for utilities staff. SCRD staff are prepared to respond to evolving situations that may impact water mains and other infrastructure such as we did during the atmospheric river event last November. We encourage residents to report any damage that they see as a result of increased flow in streams or creeks,” Buckley noted.
Residents can find emergency contact details for the water system in their area at https://www.scrd.ca/Emergency-Procedures.
Snow pack monitoring
Buckley indicated further snow survey assessments will take place in the final days of June to monitor the impact of the hot weather on the Chapman and Edwards Lake snow pack.
In a report to the May 12 Committee of the Whole Meeting, general manager of infrastructure services, Remko Rosenboom reported a snow survey completed on March 31, showed slightly below normal conditions for snow water equivalency (SWE) and snow depth based on the period from 1991-2020. Chapman Lake was at approximately 91 per cent of normal for SWE while Edwards Lake was at approximately 94 per cent of normal for SWE
