| While there are several water supply systems on Salt Spring Island, many people obtain their
water from private wells. The major water systems draw water on the northern end of the island from St. Mary
Lake, from Maxwell Lake for use near Ganges, and from Cusheon Lake for people on the Beddis Water System near near Cusheon Lake Road and on Beddis Road.
The
rest of the island relies on private wells. Some wells supply good quality water, but others contain varying amounts of sulfur
dioxide (rotten egg smell) or are brackish from salt water. Some even contain high levels of metals such as
cyanide. Some have reduced flow or even go dry late in summer. The
government operates a network of
observation wells to monitor ground water fluctuations in BC. |
