New Water Source: Church Road Well Field

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The Church Road Well Field is one of three current water supply projects designed to increase water security for SCRD customers between Secret Cove and Langdale.

The Church Road Well Field is located in Granthams Landing (Area F). This groundwater well supports 19,000 residents and commercial customers on the Chapman, Granthams, and Soames water systems.



Why Church Road?

  • Church Road Well Field will reduce the risk of water supply shortages for three SCRD water systems, Chapman, Granthams, and Soames, under normal and emergency circumstances. For example, dry summers, malfunctioning wells or water mains, or natural disasters.
  • Provide water supply to residents of the Granthams Water System, replacing the Granthams well that is no longer in compliance with the Water Sustainability Act.
  • Connect to the Chapman Water System, supporting water demand during the dry summer months.

Progress to Date

  • Funding to borrow up to $9 million over a 30 year term was approved in 2020 through Alternative Approval Process.
  • Final design is complete.
  • Two production wells and a monitoring well were drilled.

Next Steps

  • Ongoing work with the Town of Gibson to ensure that the Church Road Well Field will not impact ToG's ability to provide water to its residents.
  • Discussions with the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw about the potential impacts of the project to the environment and archeological interest in the area, financial support and their future engagement in the project.
  • The Province is currently considering a Water Licence that would allow the Church Road Well Field to operate at maximum capacity during the summer and a reduced capacity the rest of the year.
  • Once a Water Licence is obtained, proceed with construction of the pump station, treatment facility, and water mains.

Estimated completion: 2022


The Sunshine Coast Regional District’s Comprehensive Regional Water Plan identifies the need to investigate supplementing the Chapman Creek water supply with groundwater. Church Road Well Field is a result of the SCRD groundwater investigation project, initiated in 2016.

The Church Road Well Field is one of three current water supply projects designed to increase water security for SCRD customers between Secret Cove and Langdale.

The Church Road Well Field is located in Granthams Landing (Area F). This groundwater well supports 19,000 residents and commercial customers on the Chapman, Granthams, and Soames water systems.



Why Church Road?

  • Church Road Well Field will reduce the risk of water supply shortages for three SCRD water systems, Chapman, Granthams, and Soames, under normal and emergency circumstances. For example, dry summers, malfunctioning wells or water mains, or natural disasters.
  • Provide water supply to residents of the Granthams Water System, replacing the Granthams well that is no longer in compliance with the Water Sustainability Act.
  • Connect to the Chapman Water System, supporting water demand during the dry summer months.

Progress to Date

  • Funding to borrow up to $9 million over a 30 year term was approved in 2020 through Alternative Approval Process.
  • Final design is complete.
  • Two production wells and a monitoring well were drilled.

Next Steps

  • Ongoing work with the Town of Gibson to ensure that the Church Road Well Field will not impact ToG's ability to provide water to its residents.
  • Discussions with the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw about the potential impacts of the project to the environment and archeological interest in the area, financial support and their future engagement in the project.
  • The Province is currently considering a Water Licence that would allow the Church Road Well Field to operate at maximum capacity during the summer and a reduced capacity the rest of the year.
  • Once a Water Licence is obtained, proceed with construction of the pump station, treatment facility, and water mains.

Estimated completion: 2022


The Sunshine Coast Regional District’s Comprehensive Regional Water Plan identifies the need to investigate supplementing the Chapman Creek water supply with groundwater. Church Road Well Field is a result of the SCRD groundwater investigation project, initiated in 2016.

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    How long has the province been considering the application for a Water License? My understanding is that its been about two years. Is that correct?

    Linda asked 18 days ago

    The water licence application to the Province and the subsequent review process, for the Church Rd well field, was initiated in October 2019.
    The review process includes:

    • Assessment of long term aquifer sustainability

    • Assessment of impacts to existing water licence holders (including Town of Gibsons)

    • Consultation with Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)

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    Why can’t Chapman Lake Dam be increased in height to accommodate more water storage? I have read a lot of comments on Facebook, regarding the Sunshine Coast water shortage. One of the comments someone posted was just that, to rise the Dam 20’. I know that this wouldn’t come without a great cost, however I’m not sure how much drilling wells are, as they probably are not a cheap alternative either.

    Dave asked about 1 month ago

    Increasing SCRD ability to access water from Chapman Lake was a project in the multi-step approach (Comprehensive Regional Water Plan, 2013) to increasing water supply for the Chapman Water System.  The plan identified 1) expanding use of Chapman Lake, 2) water meters, 3) groundwater sources, and 4) a new reservoir, as key projects.
    Chapman Lake and dam are located in Tetrahedron Provincial Park. Work in the park and changes to infrastructure require agreements with the Province.
    In 2018, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy rejected the park boundary amendment that would permit work at the dam and outlet. As a result, the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) proposed expansion of the community water supply system infrastructure in the park could not proceed.
    https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019ENV0006-000185

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    Why isn’t Clowholm lake included in the watershed? If it was tapped into, we could supply the whole coast for years to come.

    Dave asked about 2 months ago

    Current challenges for utilizing Clowhom Lake include:

    • The dam controlling water release is BC Hydro infrastructure. Current water use from the lake (reservoir) is licenced to BC Hydro.
    • It is 32 km from any other SCRD water infrastructure, including water treatment.
    • Water pipeline construction would cross a variety of land use jurisdictions, requiring the SCRD to secure Right of Ways. It would also cross many natural features, creeks, and steep slopes. 
    • Construction of a pump station and water treatment plant would be required.
    • Building a reservoir may be required to store water for summer use
    • Cost is estimated to be high (between $73 million and $123 million in 2007).
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    Could you give me information on that big structure they built around Surf Circle a few years ago. Did that improve our water supply at all. I thought that was the plan.

    janet asked about 2 months ago

    The SCRD does not have any water supply projects in the Surf Circle area.
    Any questions regarding the wastewater (sewage) treatment facility at Surf Circle can be directed to the District of Sechelt: https://www.sechelt.ca/Live/Water-Sewer-Drainage/Water-Resource-Centre

Page last updated: 10 June 2021, 17:08