River’s Edge Water Quality Improvement Project

Background

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) owns and operates the River’s Edge Water Service Area (REWSA), located off Kaye Road, in Electoral Area G, to the southeast of Parksville, B.C. To address the increasing trend of saltiness in the local groundwater aquifer, the RDN has embarked on the River's Edge Water Quality Improvement Project, a project that involves drilling four new water supply wells and installing transmission mains and related infrastructure. The RDN carried out extensive public engagement in 2024, leading up to a petition process being held to gain electoral assent for the borrowing required to fund the project. The petition received overwhelming support from the residents in the REWSA and the RDN Board of Directors officially adopted Borrowing Bylaw No. 1914 on January 14, 2025.

Well Drilling

The project map below shows the locations of the proposed wells and transmission mains. The locations were recommended by the project hydrogeologist based on the thickness of the local aquifer, distance of the wells from each other, groundwater flow direction and reviewing the available groundwater quality information. Public vs. private land was the preferred option.

Each proposed well site requires approximately 375 sq. meters of clearing to accommodate drilling and construction activities. Site signage will be posted at both ends of the park trails to notify park users in advance of any temporary trail closures during site clearing. Park use and park trails will remain open throughout all site activities unless posted otherwise. Temporary construction fencing will be erected between the construction equipment and the adjacent trails to protect the park users and their horses & dogs.

A small section of trail will be re-aligned at test well PW07, as shown in the image below.

Based on legal advice received, RDN Water Services plans to register statutory right of ways (SRWs) at each well site for water utility construction, contingent on the well at each site producing sufficient water quantity and quality. In the case of an unproductive or poor water quality well, the REWSA project funds will be used to restore the site to previous or better condition than it was and will compensate Parks Services for tree planting and trail restoration as required. The proposed SRWs at the well sites would not be registered at the Land Title Office until after construction when legal surveys have been completed.

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