AERIAL VIEW OF Arrowsmith Lake and the AWS Dam.

The Arrowsmith Dam controls the release of water from the Arrowsmith Lake reservoir to the Englishman River. There is no pipeline from the reservoir down the mountain to the bulk water service areas. The river serves as the conduit to convey the water from the reservoir to the point of extraction from the river, which is currently at the City of Parksville intake below Highway 19A in Parksville. The location for the new proposed AWS water intake is currently being reviewed, but will likely be located in the lower reaches of the river. The AWS Management Committee is exploring capital planning options for the next phases of the bulk water infrastructure, and is committed to incorporating the resulting capital plan into the AWS Joint Venture Agreement.

Activities in the watershed can affect river water quality and river flows and therefore affect our drinking water. This illustrates why protection of the Englishman River watershed, and in fact all watersheds, is so important. Both water conservation and environmental protection are important if we are to continue to have a healthy and sustainable water source.

For more information about the Arrowsmith Water Service, please contact the Public Works departments at the City of Parksville or the Town of Qualicum Beach, or the RDN Environmental Services Department.