About – Source Water Protection Toolkit

The Source Water Protection Toolkit was crafted to simplify the source protection planning process, and to inspire a more holistic approach to drinking water management – one where we work together to take care of the land so that it can take care of the water.

Download the Toolkit PDF, or follow the links to explore the Toolkit.

Explore the Toolkit:

Key Messages

Webinars

Intro to Source Water Protection – Steps and Tools

Transcending jurisdiction through partnerships

Learning from indigenous-led partnerships and projects

Increasing awareness and stewardship of watersheds and drinking water resources

Advancing local government policies, plans and regulations to protect water sources

Securing long-term funding for source water protection

Protecting ecosystems to improve the health of watersheds and aquifers

Using mapping to understand risks to drinking water

Monitoring and reporting for source water protection

Templates

Source water assessment – UPLAND WATERSHED

Source water assessment – LAKE INTAKE

Source water RESPONSE PLAN

List of Figures

List of Tables

Table 1: Guide for using the Source Water Protection Toolkit
Table 2: Roadmap to effective source water protection in five steps
Table 3: Steps to prepare a source water protection response plan
Table 4: How to turn common planning challenges into successes
Table 5: Guide for S.M.A.R.T source water protection processes
Table 6: How to turn common source water protection action plan challenges into successes
Table 7: Steps to evaluate your source protection plan
Table 8: Collaboration guide for source water protection
Table 9: Comparison of characteristics for local roles and responsibilities
Table 10: Local government plans, policies, and bylaws to support source water protection
Table 11: Levels of community engagement
Table 12: How to build and deliver a business case for source water protection
Table 13: Education and engagement tools and how to use them
Table 14: Quick guide to emergency response and contingency plans
Table 15: Quick response sheet for emergencies
Table 16: Mapping tools applicable to B.C.
Table 17: Mapping tools specific to the Okanagan
Table 18: A guide to designing and carrying out a monitoring plan
Table 19: Legislative obstacles and innovations to help overcome them
Table 20: Land cover areas in the Okanagan and values of ecosystem service flows
Table 21: Aquatic ecosystem valuation approaches and methods – B.C. examples
Table 22: Cumulative effects of watershed stressors on surface water
Table 23: Surface water – solutions to overcome watershed condition obstacles
Table 24: Cumulative effects of watershed stressors on groundwater
Table 25: Groundwater – solutions to overcome watershed condition obstacles
Table 26: Elements to look for in a hydrological assessment

Acknowledgements:

This toolkit is intended to save time and money, and spare you frustration. We have done the research (and frustration!) for you and hope you find this toolkit useful, or at least a relief. We did not write this alone. We had the very capable help of a whole team of advisors and water champions from around the province. Thank you all. – the Authors.

Toolkit Authors

Heather Larratt, H BSc, RP Bio.
Jamie Self, H BSc, RP Bio.
Kellie Garcia, BSc, PAg
Nicole Louiseize, MSc

Graphic Design

Rebecca Massey
Karen Christensen

Technical Advisory Committee Members

Andrew Reeder Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Andrew Petersen B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
Angela Lambrecht Regional District of Central Okanagan
Anna Warwick Sears Okanagan Basin Water Board
Bob Hrasko Black Mountain Irrigation District
Brent Magnan City of West Kelowna
Brittany Lange Regional District of Central Okanagan
Cory Labrecque Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Dan Ricciuti City of West Kelowna
Danielle Noble-Brandt City of Kelowna
Dave Tamblyn First Nation Health Authority
Dennis Einarson B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Rob Fleming First Nations Health Authority
Desni Bachmann City of Kelowna
Devon van der Meulen District of Summerland
Don Dobson Dobson Engineering
Ian McLellan B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Jing Niu City of Vernon
Kat Zimmer B.C. Ministry of Health
Krista Derrickson Westbank First Nation
Laura Frank Regional District of North Okanagan
Lorne Davies B.C. Wildlife Federation
Laura Code B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
Marni Turek University of British Columbia Okanagan
Michael Firlotte City of Penticton
Nelson Jatel Okanagan Basin Water Board
Nicole Penner Associated Environmental Consultants Inc.
Patti Meger District of Lake Country
Ray Crampton B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Renee Clark Independent
Rob Hillis City of West Kelowna
Rob Dinwoodie B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Rob Birtles Interior Health Authority
Robyn Laubman Splatsin First Nation
Scott Boswell Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program
Scott Smith Eternna Consulting
Shawn Grundy District of Peachland
Tessa Terbasket Okanagan Nation Alliance
Tracy Guidi City of Kelowna
Tricia Brett Regional District of North Okanagan
Tyler McNeill Township of Spallumcheen

Funding

Funding for this project was provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Interior Health Authority, City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna and the Okanagan Basin Water Board. This project was also supported through the Healthy Watersheds Initiative, which is delivered by the Real Estate Foundation of BC and Watersheds BC, with financial support from the Province of British Columbia as part of its $10-billion COVID-19 response.