CRD acquires 145 acres of land for protected water supply

The Capital Regional District (CRD) has acquired a 58.7-hectare parcel of land for future water supply demands.

The CRD supplies drinking water for more than 380,000 people, supporting residential, commercial, institutional, light industrial, agricultural and public safety uses across the Greater Victoria area.

The parcel of land is in the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area, which falls within the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

The forested land was identified as a high priority for acquisition as it includes watershed catchment lands for Sooke Lake Reservoir, the primary drinking water source for Greater Victoria.

The property, owned by Margaret Forestry Ltd, was purchased for $652,729, about $4,500 per acre, and will be funded by the Regional Water Supply Service.

“The CRD recognizes our responsibility to plan and prepare for future water supply needs and for the continued stewardship of the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area,“ said Lillian Szpak, Chair of the Regional Water Supply Commission.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to secure ownership of this portion of catchment land so that it can be protected in perpetuity and we can continue to uphold the best water quality and the safest and most reliable drinking water resource for Greater Victoria.”

There are 20,500 hectares of protected water supply area including 11 dams and 6 reservoirs.