The city is going to have to find alternative options for an emergency water supply in South Delta.
Results from test well pumping at Diefenbaker Park indicate there isn’t enough available potable groundwater to build an emergency well should there be a significant disruption to Delta’s water distribution system, such as a major seismic event.
Last May, following a request for proposals, Delta contracted Advisian to complete a feasibility study to assess the available flow and water quality from potential groundwater.
The company carried out borehole drilling and test well installation a few months later. After a total drilling depth of 78 metres, the only potential groundwater source was encountered in a three-metre thick sand layer near sea level, a report to council explained. A flow test in the layer confirmed that a viable potable groundwater yield could not be achieved, so the test well was decommissioned.
Advisian recommended Delta complete an assessment of alternative emergency supply sources, something that will be carried out by civic engineering staff.
The project cost to date is $38,000.
Delta receives its drinking water from Metro Vancouver but owns and operates three wells at Watershed Park in North Delta.
Those wells, however, only provide a small percentage of the total water distributed in the city.
White Rock is the only Metro Vancouver municipality with its own water supply that is served by seven wells.
