WCEL > Issues > Water

Water is critical to the survival of every species on earth. But, pollution threatens all our water resources - our oceans, our fresh water streams and lakes. We now boast the highest number of boil water advisories of any province in Canada. And our wild salmon are threatened by development and the growing aquaculture industry. Although government has adopted safe drinking water legislation, numerous other changes to laws and enforcement are threatening water quality in BC.

Over the past 25 years West Coast has led the way with campaigns to clean up contamination and pollution threatening our water. Our pulp pollution campaign led to regulations on AOX credited with eliminating dioxins and furans from pulp effluent. In the nineties we worked with groups across BC to protect urban streams from development with new streamside regulations.

West Coast is focusing on two growing problems in BC: Clean drinking water and cruise ship industry pollution.

Clean Drinking Water

British Columbians value their water, especially their drinking water. But few realize that clean drinking water in BC may be a thing of the past. The number of drinking water advisories grows every year as fresh water supplies become compromised by overuse, industry and growth. And public health officials have warned politicians for years about this issue.

In 2001 the BC government passed the new Drinking Water Protection Act. Although the Act is a step forward, creating a process for avoiding Walkerton-like disasters in BC, other changes to environmental law and enforcement pose new threats to BC's water. Recent reports show gross violations of pollution laws by the agriculture industry in the Fraser Valley, activities that threaten both drinking water and fish habitat. At the same time, the provincial government is reducing enforcement staff and eliminating environmental oversight for logging in watersheds.

West Coast is actively pursued stronger drinking water protections, working with government, public health officials and activists to understand the problems that begin at the source and provide solutions that strengthen protection and enforcement so the water you drink is the best BC can offer

Publications

	Groundwater Use in Canada (November 2004) [PDF 600 Kb]
	What BC Needs in Safe Drinking Water Legislation : Proposed Bill 20/2001 - Submission to the Drinking Water Review Panel on the BC Drinking Water Protection Act (December 2001) [PDF 165 Kb]
	Safer to Drink? : Comments on Proposed BC Drinking Water Protection Plan (February 2001) [PDF 300Kb]
	Safe to Drink? (June 2000)

Cruise Ship pollution

Our ocean environment faces many threats in BC. Poorly regulated aquaculture practices pose threats for habitat and other species. Off-shore oil drilling has the potential to damage entire eco-systems.

BC's cruise ship industry is a rarely studied source of pollution with the same environmental problems as a small city. But unlike towns and cities across BC, the cruise ship industry is almost completely unregulated when it comes to environmental impacts. Ships the size of small towns dump untreated waste into narrow waterways.

West Coast has called on the Canadian government to adopt regulatory protection at least as strong as Alaska's.

Publications

Cruise Control : Regulating Cruise Ship Pollution on the Pacific Coast of Canada (September 2001) [PDF 300 Kb]

Other Water related issues

Fish and Oceans

While much of the attention on fisheries issues focuses on disputes with the US and Canada, the loss of fish habitat in BC has probably more impact on our fishery as cross border issues. That's certainly true of certain endangered species such as Coho.

West Coast has worked hard to promote implementation of the Fish Protection Act, designed to address habitat issues. Our publications and workshops help the public understand how to use this important Act.

Publications

	Submissions by West Coast Environmental Law to the International Joint Commission : In regard to the application of the Canadian Columbia Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission concerning the Grand Coulee Dam (October 2005) [PDF 105 Kb]
	Preserving British Columbia's Coast: A regulatory review - background report (May 1999)
	Riparian protection and compensation - Fish Protection Act (January 1999)
	Preserving British Columbia's Coast : A Regulatory Review (May, 1999) PDF Version (417kb)
	Brief on the Fish Protection Act 1997 (April 24, 1997)

Wetlands

Many of BC's wetlands have been drained, filled, farmed, polluted and paved over. The ecological benefits of these great natural resources have been lost forever as they are destroyed.

The right legal tools are not yet available in BC to protect wetlands. West Coast is promoting law reform to establish strong legal tools to protect wetlands and the species that depend upon them.

Publications

	The Streamside Protection Regulation and Opportunities for Citizen Advocacy (September 2001) [PDF 250 Kb]
	Regulatory Options to Preserve Burns Bog (January 2000) PDF Version (645kb)
	Protecting British Columbia's Wetlands : A Citizen's Guide (October 1996, $10.00)
	The B.C. Guide to Watershed Law and Planning ()