‘Come prepared, bring water’: B.C.’s Gulf Islands suffering drought-like conditions

The recent hot dry weather has led to serious water shortages on B.C.’s Gulf Islands.

Peter Luckham of the Islands Trust Council said water levels in reservoirs and lakes and ponds are quite low for this time of year.

Freshwater shortages have been an issue on the islands for years as the majority of the water supply comes from rainfall.

Luckham said visitors to the islands will see a lot of messaging around water conservation.

1:47 Salt Spring Island votes ‘no’ to becoming a municipality

“Come prepared, bring water,” Luckham said. “I know we all want to drink fresh potable water out of the tap, but unfortunately, bottled water is going to be, I think, the norm for the summer.”

Salt Spring Island could have to move to Stage 4 watering restrictions, which would mean water use in homes only at specific hours, for the first time since 2015.

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Authorities say they are looking at how to improve the management of water levels but note they cannot apply for provincial grants as improvement districts cannot receive direct funding.