Waterworks

Candidate Information Session - Feb 4th @ 6pm virtually

Government & Official Services
February 2, 2026

Have you considered running for a Trustee position on the NSSWD Board? The North Salt Spring Waterworks District will be holding a virtual Candidate Information […]

North Salt Spring Waterworks District Approves Tender for Maxwell Lake Water Treatment Plant

PRESS RELEASE – January 16, 2026 North Salt Spring Waterworks District Approves Tender for Maxwell Lake Water Treatment Plant Following the completion of the detailed design and tendering processes, the North Salt SpringWaterworks District (NSSWD) Board has approved Hazelwood Construction Services Inc. to construct the new Maxwell Lake Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) water treatment plant. The final construction cost for the plant is approved for $16.6 million and construction will be initiated this spring with proposed completion of the project by spring 2027. The cost is an increase from the $14.6 million Class A estimate and in response NSSWD developed a funding strategy that delays planned capital projects and maximizes the existing capital reserve funds. No new parcel taxes or toll increases will be used within the funding strategy. The new Maxwell Lake water treatment plant is required by Island Health to meet water quality directives. Transitioning to a DAF filt…

Moratorium Partially Lifted - Effective March 31, 2025

PRESS RELEASE – January 30, 2025 North Salt Spring Waterworks District Approves Partial Lift of Moratorium on Maxwell Lake System. Following the completion of detailed analyses of water supply reliability and water system infrastructure, and several months of community engagement and feedback, the North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) Board has approved a partial lift of its water moratorium policy (Moratorium) that has been in place since 2014. The NSSWD Board and staff have taken great efforts to responsibly manage Salt Spring Island’s largest yet limited water supply by using a science-based approach to assess future water supply reliability and potential improvements. While there is considerable demand for housing on Salt Spring Island, NSSWD is taking a cautious approach with this significant change for our community. It has been determined that the current supply availability for the Maxwell system can assist with the current housing need in the Ganges area…

North Salt Spring Waterworks District Proposes Partial Lift of Moratorium Spring 2025

Following the completion of a detailed analysis of water supply reliability and water system infrastructure, the North Salt Spring Water District (NSSWD) is proposing a partial lift of its water moratorium policy (Moratorium) that has been in place since 2014. The NSSWD Board and staff have taken great efforts to responsibly manage Salt Spring Island’s largest yet limited water supply by using a science-based approach to assess future water supply reliability and potential improvements. The NSSWD water system consists of two separate systems supplied from two different lakes, Maxwell Lake and St. Mary Lake. Based on future climate projections, the reliability assessment identified that there is available supply for new connections on the existing Maxwell Lake system, but not for the St. Mary Lake system. This October, NSSWD will initiate engagement with ratepayers/residents, community groups, and Salt Spring governing bodies regarding the results of the studies and a pr…

NSSWD Communications and Engagement Survey - Update

We’ve heard from 190 people through the North Salt Spring Waterworks District engagement survey Complete the survey until August 3, 2024 When you turn on your tap, you don’t think about where your water comes from. For 5,500 people on Salt Spring (almost half of the island), your water comes from Maxwell Lake or St. Mary Lake. North Salt Spring Waterworks District pipes, treats, and tests this water. And we’re surveying you to find out how you want to receive water updates and be involved in decision-making. We’d like to hear from you So far, we’ve received 190 survey responses. If you haven’t completed the survey yet, please take 10 minutes to share your thoughts. Visit northsaltspringwaterworks.ca and click on the survey link. The survey is open until August 3 – and you could win a $100 gift card! What We’ve Heard So Far Newsletters via email are emerging as the clear winner for the coveted position of “preferred news source” (67% of respondents) which is …

NSSWD Communications and Engagement Survey

Complete a North Salt Spring Waterworks District survey until August 3, 2024 When you turn on your tap, you don’t think about where your water comes from. For 5,500 people on Salt Spring (almost half of the island), your water comes from Maxwell Lake or St. Mary Lake. North Salt Spring Waterworks District (https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/) pipes, treats, and tests this water. If you live or work in this water district, we want to hear from you. Tell us how you want to receive water updates and be involved in decision-making. Fill out the survey online until August 3: https://bit.ly/3xxVsuM Not sure if we supply your water? Check the map to see the district boundaries (https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/district-boundaries/) or check for your street address: St. Mary system: https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/st-mary-system/ Maxwell system: https://northsaltspringwaterworks.ca/maxwell-systems/ Thanks to everyone who has completed the survey so…