We use water in so many ways: drinking, cooking, showering, washing cars, watering the garden, swimming, boating, fighting fires, and much more. Farmers need water to grow our local food, nature needs water to survive, local industries need water to work. 

Water is essential to life, and yet we tend to take it for granted. Where does water come from? Where does it go? How can we protect it, now and into the future?

Mill Bay/Malahat - Shawnigan Lake - Cobble Hill - Cowichan Bay

During September to November, 2012, the Environmental Policy Division of the CVRD asked residents to share their concerns on the future of water quality and supply in south Cowichan communities. The information gathered will be provided to the CVRD Board and staff, to help identify priority action areas for the future.

We asked:

• Why is water important to you? 
• What concerns do you have about present and future water supply in your community? 
• What concerns do you have about present and future of water quality in your community?
• What are the top three actions you think the CVRD should take to protect our water?

A summary of public input gathered can be viewed by following this link.

The final report on the consultation process can be viewed here.

For more information about water in south Cowichan communities, check out:

• South Cowichan Water Plan Study - A Preliminary Assessment of Water Supply & Needs within the South Cowichan Region (detailed report prepared by WorleyParsons for the CVRD, February 2009).
• Introduction to Watersheds
• Water water everywhere
• Water supply in south Cowichan communities
• Water quality in south Cowichan communities