CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – The Strathcona Regional District wants to protect groundwater.
The district put together a draft resolution that will stop groundwater extraction for the purpose of bottling and exporting.
The SRD was first approached by Bruce Gibbons, founder of the Merville Water Guardians. Gibbons had been following up with various local governments and districts, asking them to consider implementing bylaws that will protect groundwater sources.
RELATED: District does not support groundwater extraction for bottling purposes: SRD
According to an emailed statement from Gibbons, the SRD presented the resolution to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC). The resolution passed unanimously.
“That means the 53 member communities of the AVICC unanimously support the ask of that resolution, and ultimately the protection of groundwater,” Gibbons wrote.
Gibbons added in the email that the next step is for the SRD and AVICC to present the resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) during a meeting in September.
If the resolution passes there, then it will go on to the provincial government for review.
Gibbons thanked the SRD, particularly Area D director Brenda Leigh, who has championed water causes within the district.
