Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Action Plan Update

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Consultation has concluded


As of February 25, 2020 the updated RDN DWWP Action Plan (2020-2030) has been finalized and endorsed by the RDN Board. This webpage documents the update process that took place in 2019 to update the Plan. Thanks to all who engaged in the process!

We are all connected by water - it hydrates us, offers enjoyment and beauty, and provides vital habitat. It is important for culture and recreation. Water allows us to run our businesses, raise healthy families and grow our food. Freshwater is undoubtedly a part of our identity in this region.

Yet, our water faces challenges:

  • a changing climate - more frequent and longer droughts; more intense rainfall and floods
  • increased pressures on land and water as we grow as a region
  • complex cross-jurisdictional management that requires strong local involvement.

It's been 10 years since the RDN's Drinking Water and Watershed Protection (DWWP) program first began implementing its Board-approved regional Action Plan in 2009. The key focus areas of DWWP are water education & outreach, water science & monitoring and water planning & policy support. In 2019, it is time for the Action Plan to be updated to reflect current objectives, emerging areas of focus, updated priorities, and required resources for a refreshed program mandate for the next decade and beyond.

On this page you can participate in the Action Plan Update - share your vision for a sustainable water future in our region!

How to navigate this page:

  • Read the original Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Action Plan, background information, the 10-year review report and more in the documents library.
  • Check out our timeline to see the project milestones.
  • Complete our survey to provide your input below (closed May 27, 2019).
  • Contribute to the forum below with your ideas and vision for a sustainable water future.
  • If you have any questions, use the Q&A tab below and our staff will respond
  • Make sure you register (subscribe) to receive email updates on this project!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more and share your thoughts about water in the RDN!


As of February 25, 2020 the updated RDN DWWP Action Plan (2020-2030) has been finalized and endorsed by the RDN Board. This webpage documents the update process that took place in 2019 to update the Plan. Thanks to all who engaged in the process!

We are all connected by water - it hydrates us, offers enjoyment and beauty, and provides vital habitat. It is important for culture and recreation. Water allows us to run our businesses, raise healthy families and grow our food. Freshwater is undoubtedly a part of our identity in this region.

Yet, our water faces challenges:

  • a changing climate - more frequent and longer droughts; more intense rainfall and floods
  • increased pressures on land and water as we grow as a region
  • complex cross-jurisdictional management that requires strong local involvement.

It's been 10 years since the RDN's Drinking Water and Watershed Protection (DWWP) program first began implementing its Board-approved regional Action Plan in 2009. The key focus areas of DWWP are water education & outreach, water science & monitoring and water planning & policy support. In 2019, it is time for the Action Plan to be updated to reflect current objectives, emerging areas of focus, updated priorities, and required resources for a refreshed program mandate for the next decade and beyond.

On this page you can participate in the Action Plan Update - share your vision for a sustainable water future in our region!

How to navigate this page:

  • Read the original Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Action Plan, background information, the 10-year review report and more in the documents library.
  • Check out our timeline to see the project milestones.
  • Complete our survey to provide your input below (closed May 27, 2019).
  • Contribute to the forum below with your ideas and vision for a sustainable water future.
  • If you have any questions, use the Q&A tab below and our staff will respond
  • Make sure you register (subscribe) to receive email updates on this project!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more and share your thoughts about water in the RDN!

Discussions: All (3) Open (0)

  • Draft DWWP Action Plan (2020-2030) ready for your review!

    over 4 years ago
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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    Please review the near final draft of the updated DWWP Action Plan for 2020-2030 and share your comments in the forum below or email the program coordinator at waterprotection@rdn.bc.ca. We'd love to hear from you! Note that to add your comment to the forum, you must be registered and signed in to this project page.

    We are now in the final stages of bringing our updated DWWP Action Plan to completion. We've gathered community input and ideas and technical advice throughout the process. We have captured this direction in a document that outlines the vision, mission, goals and objectives, along with a collection of supporting actions.

    The initiatives within this Plan reflect the feedback from this process which indicated strong support to continue the activities that were most effective from the first 10-years and provided clear direction to scale up from the status quo and take on additional initiatives, driven by the urgency of climate change, existing organizational commitments, identified areas of stress, and opportunity for collaboration.

    The items that emerged as new priorities during the engagement process amount to an increase in effort of approximately 50% and require a corresponding increase of resources. To advance these priority actions starting in 2020, a rise in the regional parcel tax from $8 to $12 is proposed for consideration in the 2020 budget process.This is described in the RDN 2020 Proposed Budget, which is also open for public consultation. Visit www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/rdn-budget-talks to review and comment on the budgetary aspects.

  • Mid-way project update! What are your reflections?

    over 4 years ago
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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    The Compilation and Prioritization Phase of the Action Plan Update project has completed! Public input and technical advice has been gathered from March through June, to refresh the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection program mandate, priorities and activities for the next 10 years and beyond.

    One key step in this phase was running Structured Decision-Making workshops to inform recommendations on updated goals, objectives, program actions and key initiatives. These two workshops were held in May and June with experts on our Technical Advisory Committee, Board Steering Committee and Interdepartmental Working Group representatives; the outcomes are now summarized in a report. Please look under Documents section to find the summary report and check it out! 

    This Forum topic area is intended to provide space for any comments or discussion on the findings from the workshop process, for those who dive into the report and have ideas and reflections to share!

  • What is your vision for water sustainability in our region?

    about 5 years ago
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    If you look into the future 50 years and beyond, what do you see? Are our communities filled with rain gardens, green roofs and permeable pavement? Are there fish spawning in the creek in your backyard? Can you safely collect shellfish at the beach in your town? Do First Nations and local governments work together closely and productively? Is it the norm to have veggie gardens in urban areas? Do school groups regularly take part in water stewardship projects? Can you look up water data easily on your mobile device? 

    We want you to picture a future where water resources are abundant and healthy and share your ideas for how we can get there! This could include through education initiatives, science programs and policy innovations.

    Share your vision below in the Forum!