FAQs
Why does the water taste different now that the groundwater wells are being used?
Why does the water taste different or slightly bitter?
We recently adjusted our water supply strategy to ensure a sustainable, year-round supply for the community. The current approach blends groundwater from local wells with surface water from Stocking Lake.
An important benefit of incorporating groundwater is that it helps reduce chlorine disinfection byproducts in the distribution system. These byproducts form when natural organic matter in surface water reacts with chlorine used for disinfection.
Groundwater, however, naturally travels through underground rock formations and absorbs minerals along the way. As a result, it has a higher mineral hardness than the exceptionally soft surface water residents are accustomed to. This may result in a subtle, slightly bitter taste and reduced lathering when using soap.
The water is safe to drink. The change in taste is strictly aesthetic and poses no health risks.
Is the water safe to drink? and what are the actual mineral levels?
Yes, the water is safe to drink. The change in taste is aesthetic only and does not pose any health risks.
Our Utilities team closely monitors water quality. The current blended supply has a hardness of approximately 104 mg/L, which is within the expected range of 90 to 120 mg/L and is classified as moderately hard. Many people begin to notice mineral taste once hardness exceeds about 100 mg/L, which likely explains why the change was detected so quickly.
The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality do not establish a health-based limit for hardness, as it is not considered a health concern. For context, water quality may be considered poor at levels above 200 mg/L, and generally unacceptable for domestic use above 500 mg/L. Current levels remain well within acceptable limits.
The water is safe to drink. The change in taste is strictly aesthetic and poses no health risks.
My coffee taste different, is there anything I can do?
Our current water blend contains safe, naturally occurring minerals from the groundwater well and seasonal organic compounds from Stocking Lake. While these minerals can alter the extraction process of coffee and tea, using a standard household carbon filter pitcher (like a Brita) will effectively remove the seasonal organic taste compounds to improve the flavor of your hot beverages.
We were advised that CVRD is intending to connect to the new Ladysmith treatment plant soon. Will that change the water hardness?
The overall hardness of the blended water is expected to remain relatively consistent; however, the upcoming connection will help address the taste concerns.
The connection will introduce treated water from the Town of Ladysmith’s water system, which uses Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) and membrane ultrafiltration. This treatment process effectively removes organic matter, algae, and microscopic particles from surface water. However, dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium are small enough to pass through ultrafiltration membranes. As a result, the surface water component will retain its naturally low hardness, typically in the range of 30 to 35 mg/L.
In addition, connecting to the Town of Ladysmith’s supply will provide greater operational flexibility for CVRD. This will allow for adjustments to the proportion of groundwater and surface water used, helping to better manage water quality, including taste, in response to operational needs and customer feedback.
If the hardness stays the same, how will the interconnect fix the taste?
Currently, the surface water only receives chlorine and UV disinfection. While this kills bacteria, it leaves the natural lake organics (TOC) behind. The bitter minerals from the groundwater are currently clashing with these organic compounds, creating that unpleasant flavor profile.
Ladysmith's Membrane Ultrafiltration and Dissolved Air Flotation will remove those organics entirely. Without the TOC to interact with the minerals, the bitter taste will be gone. Even though the final blend will still have a safe, moderate hardness of 104 mg/L, the water will taste clean and refreshing, and your morning coffee will return to normal.
Following dry weather, when the water demand drops, we may be switching over to a single source for the water supply, the groundwater wells, and this should help alleviate the taste concerns. This is dependent on the overall water demand.
- Substantially lower cost for a Town of Ladysmith (ToL) interconnection versus a stand-alone treatment plant
- The ToL facility is fully operational. The ToL operators are proficient with the technology which provides superior water treatment and meets/exceeds the Surface Water Treatment Objectives
- Operation and maintenance costs are well understood
- A single, state-of-the-art integrated system offers greater long-term cost efficiency and sustainability compared to operating and maintaining two stand alone systems
- The technology is modular and can be easily be scaled to account for future growth
- The high-pressure supply line from Stocking Lake to the Saltair treatment facility- approximately 3.5 km in length- will become redundant, avoiding an estimated $5-7 million replacement cost
- Spring 2026 - Wells online
- Late 2026 – Connection works
- Late 2027 – Ladysmith upgrades*
- A Construction permit from Island Health will be required and will be applied for during the design phase.
- A building permit and a permit for works within the road right-of-way for the interconnection building will be applied for from the Town of Ladysmith
- Additional permits and approvals may be required as the project advances
- Finalizing a bulk water supply agreement with the Town of Ladysmith.
- Preparation of detailed design drawings for the interconnect between Saltair and Town of Ladysmith.
- Approval from Island Health for the Construction Permit and BC Hydro for the electrical service.
What are the benefits of the groundwater and Ladysmith approach versus a stand-alone treatment facility?
What are the Estimated Customer Charges?
The estimated annual cost per property are shown in the table below:
Groundwater + Bulk Water Supply from Ladysmith | |
Capital Cost | $4M – $5.5M |
Annual Total Customer Charges (per property) | $1,100 – $1,300 / year |
Implementation Timeline | *Ladysmith capital upgrades required for long-term supply only. Water can be supplied after connection works complete. |
All figures are preliminary planning estimates only. Final costs are subject to detailed design, procurement outcomes, market conditions, detailed terms of agreement. Annual amounts consider capital and base O&M only. Does not consider contributions to reserves, additional funds for special initiatives such as the distribution upgrade program, etc. Grant funding implications will be addressed as part of the refinement process
Does Island Health Authority support this proposal?
Yes, Island Health Authority is fully supportive of this proposal. The Town of Ladysmith treatment facility produces very high quality water that is fully compliant with drinking water standards.
Are any approvals required?
Why has it taken so long to comply with the Surface Water Treatment Objectives?
The regional district’s funding structure follows a user‑pay model, meaning only those who directly benefit from a service contribute to its costs. For the Saltair Water System, this means customers are responsible for funding system maintenance, operations, asset management, and upgrades.
The cost of the required treatment upgrade, if borne solely by Saltair Water System customers, would have resulted in significantly higher user rates. Pilot studies and feasibilities studies were performed with potential treatment options for a stand-alone treatment plant for Saltair that exposed several shortcomings in the treatment design. The result was escalated costs which would have resulted in large customer charges thereby causing substantial delays.
To reduce this financial impact, CVRD staff pursued external grant funding. Grant programs, however, are open only at specific times and are highly competitive, with most local governments across B.C. submitting applications.
The CVRD submitted three grant applications in total: one in 2016, one in 2018, and one in 2020. The first two applications were unsuccessful, but the third was approved. The CVRD was notified of this successful award in late 2021.
Rising costs during the COVID‑19 pandemic, combined with engineering design challenges and licencing for the groundwater wells resulted in project delays and multiple re‑evaluations of system upgrade options to ensure the most cost‑effective solution for the community.
Who will be responsible for Saltair's distribution system with the groundwater & Ladysmith approach?
All the infrastructure (reservoir, treatment facility, distribution pipes) within the Saltair Water System service area will remain the ownership and responsibility of the CVRD.
When will water servicing for development in the Saltair water system be permitted again?
Water servicing application for development will resume when Island Health lifts the Health Order and operations achieve steady flows through the system.
What are the next steps?