The majority of the City of Campbell River receives its water from a watershed comprising John Hart, McIvor, Lower Campbell, Upper Campbell and Buttle Lakes as well as many streams and creeks. The Main Water System supply, from John Hart Lake, is transferred through three B.C. Hydro penstocks from the John Hart dam and diverted into the City’s main water supply lines. The City also takes water directly from John Hart Lake, independent of the BC Hydro penstocks, through a submerged intake line near the Snowden Forest Pump Station. This source provides water to the Gordon Road and Snowden Forest areas as well as providing untreated water to the PRT Nursery and a small number of other properties.
Monitoring
Campbell River’s drinking water source has traditionally been reliable and of high quality. Water originating from John Hart Lake may be characterized as being very soft, low in dissolved minerals and of low alkalinity. Turbidity, suspended solids and colour are all low. Raw water is tested and analyzed regularly to ensure that the source water meets the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for drinking water use.
Protection
The City strives to protect its water sources. Watershed protection will ensure safe, high quality water and limit water treatment costs. In 2001, the John Hart Watershed was designated as a community watershed under the Forest Practices Code. In the same year, the City completed a Watershed Management Plan to provide policy direction for managing the watershed for the benefit of the community through risk assessment and remediation identification.