City of Chilliwack hopes to secure new water source through Fairfield Island feasibility study

While it has an estimated population of 112,500 as of 2025, including First Nations communities within city boundaries, the city provides potable water to about 96,750 residents, in addition to industrial, institutional and commercial users. The city of Chilliwack also provides water service to 11 local First Nations communities through servicing agreements.

Toward that end, the city says ensuring long-term water supply needs are met is essential, and as its population increases and drought conditions become more frequent, demand on the water supply must be addressed.

Currently, Chilliwack’s water is sourced from 10 groundwater wells. Of those 10 groundwater wells, eight draw water from the Sardis-Vedder Aquifer (SVA) and two of those wells draw from the Marble Hill Aquifer. The SVA provides approximately 98.98 per cent of the water supplied to Chilliwack residents, with the Marble Hill Aquifer providing the remaining 1.02 per cent. The City’s eight water supply wells in the SVA currently extract an annual volume of approximately 12 million cubic metres, and projected demand is expected to reach over 20 cubic metres a year by 2040, according to Associated Engineering 2020).

To ensure the city can continue to meet demand, protect aquifer health and further diversify its water supply sources, additional water sources need to be identified and investigated. The study will assess the potential for riverbank filtration from the Fraser River to provide a reliable, high-quality drinking water source.

The bid and tender for this specific RFQ (request for quotations) closes on Thursday, July 2 at 3 p.m.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

City of Chilliwack hopes to secure new water source through Fairfield Island feasibility study

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