"Analysis of data indicates dropping water levels are not due to changes in precipitation but are the result of groundwater overuse," it adds.
Diminishing water levels mpact fish habitat and streamflows, the plan says, while water quality is also deteriorating due to septic systems, animal waste and agricultural activities. The plan's goal to make groundwater supplies sustainable by reducing demand 30 per cent over the next decade is an ambitious one.
"Frankly, our biggest struggle is to get people not to take water supplies for granted, and we're trying to do that through public awareness and education programs," says Brad Badelt, who manages the township's water resources and environment division.
Water use on farms is a big part of those programs since over 75 per cent of the township's 316 square kilometres is in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
The plan recommends tighter controls along with improved urban development and agricultural practices to reduce demand. But a controversial recommendation of an earlier draft to meter private wells was dropped.
"We also need a much better understanding of the exact state of our groundwater supplies," adds township groundwater specialist Antigone Dixon-Warren. "While increasing our water supplies from the regional district is an option, that water costs three times as much," she adds. In fact, using its own aquifer water now saves the township about $2 million annually.
The draft plan is at www.tol.bc.ca.