Water System

Our Water System

The regional system supplies water to the City of Mission and the City of Abbotsford. In 2018, Abbotsford’s per capita demand was 185 litres per person per day. Mission’s was estimated at 335 litres per person per day.

Check out our vlog on where your drinking water comes from!

Main Components

There are 3 water sources: Norrish Creek, Cannell Lake, and groundwater wells. The surface water and most groundwater is disinfected with chloramines. Water from Norrish Creek is also filtered. Water is transmitted through pipes from the sources to major take-off points or to one of two regional reservoirs. The two municipalities operate their distribution systems independently from the regional system.

Water Supply Map

Governance

Prior to the 1980s, Mission was supplied with water from Cannell Lake, while the District of Matsqui and the District of Abbotsford relied exclusively on groundwater. The Norrish Creek source was developed in the 1980s by the Dewdney Alloette Regional District (DARD) and initially serviced Mission and Matsqui. In 1995, the Districts of Matsqui and Abbotsford amalgamated to become the City of Abbotsford, and DARD became part of the FVRD. Ownership of the regional water system remained with the FVRD until 2005, at which point it transferred to Mission and Abbotsford. The AMWSC was formed, with the City of Abbotsford designated to oversee capital projects, operations, and maintenance of the AMWSC system.

 

Please contact Amy Peters, Water Quality & Resource Coordinator, City of Abbotsford Engineering Department, at 604-864-5514, with any questions.