Groundwater Wells
There are currently 19 groundwater wells in the south region of Abbotsford that provide about 5% of the annual system supply. Of these wells, 15 are treated with chlorine or chloramines. The wells are generally only operated during peak consumption periods of the year or when the Norrish Creek supply is off-line.
In 2007, four new wells were drilled adjacent to Bevan Avenue, near Mill Lake. Provincial regulations require that new well fields exceeding a flow of 75 l/s (6.5 MLD) undergo an environmental assessment. The Bevan wells have a capacity of 290 l/s (25 MLD), but could not be operated at full capacity until authorized by the province. An Environmental Assessment Certificate was issued in May 2011 allowing full use of the wells. Conditions of the certificate indicate that, other than for emergency and maintenance, the wells can operate from May through September, but cannot exceed an overall annual volume equivalent to 100 days at full capacity (2505 ML). It was also required that mitigation wells be constructed to augment groundwater flow to Horn Creek and Boa Brook and to mitigate potential impacts to the Clearbrook Waterworks District. Numerous other notification, consultation, and monitoring commitments were appended to the certificate. After December 2015, the wells are to be used only for emergency and maintenance purposes.
