'The worst that it has ever been': Concern mounting as severe drought conditions persist in parts of B.C.
The situation is dire. That is how the drought conditions on the B.C.'s Sunshine Coast are being described.
The water supply for about 20,000 residents is so low, there is only enough water to last until early November.
“This is the worst that it has ever been” said Remko Rosenboom, the general manager of infrastracture services for the regional district
“It’s now over 90 days since we had a good amount of rain here,” he explained.
This week, the district used a helicopter to bring in a syphon system to draw water from a lake after water levels dropped to unprecedented lows.
“Because it is pretty serious, we have activated an emergency operations centre to coordinate our efforts,” Rosenboom explained.
He said the district may have to truck water from further up the coast or the Lower Mainland which he described as a "logistically, technically and financially very cumbersome exercise.”
Other parts of the province are also seeing concerning conditions.
Earlier this week, disturbing video emerged near Bella Bella. A social media post showed thousands of dead salmon at the bottom of a creek.
"We’re feeling the impacts of climate change all around us in B.C.,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands, Water and Resource Stewardship said in a statement.
“This is a highly unusual situation caused by recent drought conditions and it is very concerning to see the impact of drought conditions on wild salmon.”
In its statement, the Ministry of Forests said several areas in the province are being impacted, including the east and west Vancouver Island basins.
“At Drought Level 4, conditions are extremely dry and adverse effects to socio-economic or ecosystem values are likely,” the ministry said.
On the Sunshine Coast, residents are under Stage 4 water restrictions, meaning water can’t be used at all outside -- not even for washing cars or watering gardens.
The restrictions could tighten even further if the situation doesn’t improve. The hope in the area is for rain which is not in the forecast.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Israel orders new evacuations in Gaza's last refuge of Rafah as it expands military offensive
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza’s last refuge.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.