Living on Hornby

Extracted text (beginning)

Living on Hornby Island 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hornby Island is part of the Islands Trust, which was created in 1974 as a land use and planning agency with a legislated 
mandate to preserve and protect the Islands Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment.  
 
Key components of our Island's natural environment are its forests and its shoreline, both containing sensitive ecosystems. A 
primary element, supporting all living systems, is fresh water - much of it conveyed below the surface as groundwater.  
Protecting ecosystems and the aquifers supplying the Island's water requires the co-operation of landowners, residents and 
visitors. 
 
Many of us live in the forest or by the sea and there are particular considerations for protecting those environments. All of us 
can have a positive impact on our water resource by using water wisely and protecting our aquifers. Here are some things to 
think about. 
 
 
Using Water Wisely 
 
Most islanders get their water from wells, supplemented 
by some water catchment. Hornby’s limited groundwater, 
replenished by winter rains, is steadily depleted in summer 
as the number of people on the Island soars. This leads to 
significant water shortages. Particularly serious is the 
potential for salt water intrusion along the settled coastal 
areas. Heavy pumping can draw sea water into the 
aquifer, contaminating the fresh water.. Most of Hornby's 
aquifers are classified as "moderately developed." The 
Whaling Station Bay - Anderson Drive area is classified as 
"highly developed, highly vulnerable” - the most sensitive 
provincial aquifer classification, requiring particular
 care 
with water withdrawal.  
 
~ How We Can Be Water-Wise 
 
• Establish a rainwater catchment and storage system 
to reduce reliance upon well water. 
• Use water-saving devices such as low-flow 
showerheads and low-flush toilets. 
• Limit the number of people using your property during 
dry periods and teach them about wise water use. 
• Re-use kitchen water on flowerbeds or planters. 
• Shower briefly, or go for a swim and wear those 
clothes one more time. 
• Avoid pumping too much water at any one time. Allow 
the well a period of recovery between showers or 
laundry loads. 
• Reduce garden irrigation. Plant drought-resistant 
species, landscape with native plants, and use mulch 
to retain moisture. 
• Stop running water while cleaning teeth or vegetables. 
Instead, use a glass of water for rinsing teeth and a 
bowl or dishpan to wash vegetables.  
• Place a sealed container of water or sand in the toilet 
tank to reduce the flush volume. 
• Establish household rules for water use and fix leaks!  
 
 
 
Photo by Joanne Ovitsland 
 
 
 
Protecting Our Aquifers 
 
 
About 20% of our rainfall penetrates the surface and 
becomes "groundwater" in the faults and fissures of the 
underlying sedimentary rock. This is our main source of 
domestic water. Although some may resurface as springs 
and most of it eventually reaches the ocean, 

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