British Columbia could be a world-leader in groundwater management with the Water Sustainability Act which for the first time licenses groundwater use, protects environmental flows and enables stronger regional water governance. Much work remains to ensure that users become licensed, that environmental flows are defined, and that regional water governance is improved. All of our science and engagement in British Columbia are focused on these issues and  encouraging world-leading groundwater management ​in British Columbia. 

Mapping aquifer stress
​across the province

We mapped aquifer stress across BC by estimatinng groundwater usage, recharge, and the contribution of groundwater to environmental flow needs. Check out results on the BC Aquifer Stress Tool  developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Quantifying groundwater pumping impacts on environmental flows

We have developed a new, fast, and accurate method for quantifying the impact of groundwater pumping on environmental flows. Through a series of projects with Foundry Spatial and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, we have tested it in watersheds in British Columbia, California, and Kansas.

Collaborating with governments, NGOs, and industry

We routinely interact with governments, NGOs, and industry through projects, workshops, and forums like the BC Water Leaders. Tom is a science advisor with Foundry Spatial and an academic advisor with the POLIS Water Sustainability Project.

Supporting regional water governance with community science.

We are starting a community science project on Vancouver Island called 'Koksilah Connections' to improve understanding of problematic summer flows to encourage deeper community engagement and co-governance between Indigenous and provincial governments.