Water Stewardship

Preface

Water occurring beneath the land surface, known as ground water, is one of British Columbia's valuable and renewable natural resources. Ground water developed through the use of wells and springs provides important water supplies for a significant portion of the Province's population, particularly for agricultural and industrial use as well as meeting the requirements not only for many community water systems but also individual family needs in rural and recreational areas.

This publication provides an overview of the ground water resources of British Columbia; how ground water occurs, where it is found and what conditions favour its development for social and economic benefits. As ground water cannot be seen readily except in underground excavations the scientific and technical understanding of this hidden resource has developed slowly and many misconceptions about its occurrence including the belief that ground water exists as underground streams, still persist today. In many instances these misconceptions have hampered the effective development, conservation and protection of the resource.

This publication provides information on the Province's ground water resources for the benefit of those individuals, communities and organizations that are presently using ground water or may be using ground water in the future. It is hoped that this information will assist in future ground water resource planning initiatives at all levels of government, to minimize potential impacts of man's land use activities on ground water resources thereby maintaining available quantities and a high degree of ground water quality for future generations.

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