The Capital Regional District (CRD) has purchased nearly 60 hectares of catchment land for the preparation and protection of future water supply needs in the area.
In a release issued on Friday, the CRD says it has acquired 58.7 hectares – 145 acres – of Greater Victoria Water Supply Area land that falls within the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
According to the district, the forested land was identified as a “high priority for acquisition” because it includes watershed catchment lands for Sooke Lake Reservoir – the primary drinking water source for Greater Victoria.
The land is located on the northern tip of the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area, between Grant Lake and Shawnigan Lake.
The land was purchased by the CRD for $652,729 (approximately $4,500 per acre) from Margaret Forestry Ltd and will be funded by the Regional Water Supply Service, says the CRD.
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“The CRD recognizes our responsibility to plan and prepare for future water supply needs and for the continued stewardship of the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area,“ said Lillian Szpak, Chair of the Regional Water Supply Commission. “We are thankful for the opportunity to secure ownership of this portion of catchment land so that it can be protected in perpetuity and we can continue to uphold the best water quality and the safest and most reliable drinking water resource for Greater Victoria.”
The Capital Regional District outlines that it currently supplies drinking water for more than 380,000 people. The CRD also says there are 20,500 hectares of protected water supply area including 11 dams and 6 reservoirs.
The district highlights that it supports water usage for residential, commercial, institutional, light industrial, agricultural and public safety across the Greater Victoria area.
Below is a map of the newly acquired catchment lands.
Graham Cox
