Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There have been many droughts in Vancouver Island’s history. A University of Victoria study of tree ring data found that some of them were worse than anything in modern records, but also predicted a future mega-drought. This year’s wet Spring may make a difference, but there have been reports of wells running dry every summer since 2014. Consequently, increasing numbers of people throughout the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, Quadra and Cortes Islands have turned to rainwater harvesting.
No treatment is needed when this water is used for flushing toilets, watering lawns or gardens, and it dramatically reduces water consumption from wells.
According to the Strathcona Regional District, ‘about 70% of total water consumption happens outdoors in the summer time, mostly due to sprinkler use on lawns. Sprinkler or soaker hose use on other landscaping can also contribute to the high summer demand.’
Interviews about rainwater harvesting on Cortes and Quadra Islands
