Jun 03, 2026

Town and CVRD sign Memorandum of Understanding for treated water supply to Saltair

COWICHAN VALLEY, BC – The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and the Town of Ladysmith are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes the framework for a future treated bulk water supply agreement for the Saltair Water Service in Electoral Area G.

Under the MOU, the CVRD and the Town have committed to negotiating a formal agreement that will define how treated drinking water will be supplied from Ladysmith to the Saltair Water Service, including the terms and conditions of the arrangement. This work supports the CVRD’s ongoing efforts to meet provincial Drinking Water Treatment Objectives for Surface Water in British Columbia.

The two communities share a long-standing water partnership, including joint ownership of the Stocking Lake Dam and a shared reliance on Stocking Lake as a source of drinking water. Building on this relationship, the MOU establishes a pathway for Saltair to receive water treated at Ladysmith’s Water Filtration Plant.

The treated water supply will complement Saltair’s two newly constructed groundwater wells, providing a reliable secondary source during periods of increased demand.

Key elements of the future agreement include:

• Water Quality and Fire Flows
The CVRD will be responsible for managing water quality and fire flow requirements within the Saltair Water Service, beginning at the connection points with Ladysmith’s municipal water system.

• Bulk Water Fees and Charges
The CVRD will compensate the Town of Ladysmith for treated water supplied through:

  • A bulk water rate per cubic metre to recover operating costs;
  • An annual parcel tax to support water-related debt servicing and capital investments; and
  • A one-time capital charge on existing and future parcels to fund shared water infrastructure projects that benefit both communities.

• Operations and Maintenance
The CVRD and the Town of Ladysmith will continue to independently operate, maintain, and repair their respective water systems in accordance with accepted engineering standards and practices.

• No Cost to Ladysmith Residents
Ladysmith residents and other existing bulk water customers will not be responsible for any costs associated with supplying treated water to the Saltair Water Service.

“Together, we have found a long-term solution to improve and strengthen an essential service for Saltair residents through a proactive, pragmatic partnership. My sincere thanks to Mayor Deena Beeston, Ladysmith Council, and both Town and CVRD staff for their tireless and collaborative work in making this milestone a reality,” said CVRD Electoral Area G Director Jesse McClinton.

“This represents a collaborative approach to ensuring a reliable water supply for the Saltair community while supporting sustainable management of regional water resources,” said Town of Ladysmith Mayor Deena Beeston.

“While many options were considered, we are confident that the future bulk water supply agreement between the CVRD and the Town of Ladysmith will be the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide safe, clean drinking water to Saltair,” said CVRD Board Chair Kate Segall.

To learn more about the Saltair Water System Treatment Upgrade Project, visit: https://www.planyourcowichan.ca/saltair-water-treatment-upgrade .

To learn more about water services at the Town of Ladysmith, visit: https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/water .

This news release can also be viewed on the Cowichan Valley Regional District's website.

The Town of Ladysmith respectfully acknowledges that we gather and work on the unceded territory of the Stz'uminus First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.

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For more information, please contact:

Lisa Moilanen
Manager, Communications & Engagement
Cowichan Valley Regional District
communications@cvrd.bc.ca
250-746-2571

or

Nicholas Pescod
Communications & Engagement Specialist
npescod@ladysmith.ca
250-268-0606