For British Columbia property owners, access to reliable water sources—whether through wells, cisterns, or alternative water storage systems—isn't just about
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Rural Area Land For Sale

What you need to know about water wells and buying or selling rural properties.

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Water conservation and well maintenance

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Wildfires and Water Wells in Rural British Columbia
For British Columbia property owners, access to reliable water sources—whether through wells, cisterns, or alternative water storage systems—isn't just about safety; it's become crucial for maintaining insurance coverage at reasonable
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Colleen Roberts

Posted on January 28, 2025

Practice Water Conservation at Home
Practical tips to conserve water in your daily life, including smarter bathroom habits, kitchen and laundry efficiency, outdoor conservation, equipment upgrades, water-wise landscaping, planting, and maintenance, and responsible use of
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Colleen Roberts

Posted on July 4, 2023

A water well run dry, here are your best options

Tips for Water Wells That Are Running Dry Can a water well run dry? Indeed, a well has the potential to run dry, particularly when the extraction of water from

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on July 3, 2023

Water test kits for home and business to ensure your water safety
Maintaining the quality of your well water is essential for your family's health and crucial in preserving groundwater resources. You can ensure the safety of your well water by regularly
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Colleen Roberts

Posted on May 29, 2023

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on April 21, 2025

Example of a Tagged Water Well for  British Columbia GWELLS Database Water Well Records
Well Tag Example Attached to a Newly Drilled Water Well

Unlocking Sustainable Groundwater Management with British Columbia GWELLS Database Water Well Records

Why the British Columbia GWELLS Database Water Well Records are critical to property owners. As a provincial water well contractor who receives many calls regarding well reports, I emphasize the critical role of the GWELLS database.

These records, commonly known as water well logs, drilling logs, or well reports, meticulously document the construction details of individual water wells. They include vital information such as the subsurface geological materials encountered during drilling and initial assessments of the well’s water yield in US gallons per minute (USGPM).

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on April 19, 2025

2025 drought british columbia map, indicates the current drought conditions
British Columbia, Canada drought conditions as of March 31, 2025

Winter 2024–25 Climate Anomalies and Water Supply Summary

British Columbia’s winter of 2024–25 brought unusual weather anomalies that set the stage for current drought concerns. Precipitation deficits were notable, especially in January 2025. In fact, much of BC experienced “extremely dry” conditions in January, making it one of the top 10 driest on record in many locations.

Key southern cities like Abbotsford, Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Cranbrook, and Chetwynd logged top-five records for dry Januarys.

A brief storm cycle late in January delivered some moisture, but it only narrowly prevented new record lows in snowpack accumulation.

By February 1, 2025, the province’s snowpack had plummeted to ~72% of normal, down from 87% in January.

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on April 18, 2025

Guide to understanding the Maple Ridge Whonnock water well rules, regulations and requirements

What Property Owners Need to Know About Maple Ridge Whonnock Water Well Rules and Requirements

For property owners in Maple Ridge and Whonnock, the allure of a private water well can be strong, particularly for those seeking independence from municipal water sources or residing in more rural areas where access to city water may be limited. While the prospect of a personal, reliable water supply is appealing, it’s crucial for homeowners to understand the full scope of what’s involved.

Maple Ridge Whonnock Water Well Guide provides a clear and concise overview of the regulations, costs, typical water well characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, maintenance requirements, and other essential factors to consider before drilling a water well in Maple Ridge.

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on February 23, 2025

Addressing Smelly Well Water That Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If you’ve ever experienced water that smells like rotten eggs, you’re not alone! Many homeowners deal with smelly water, and while it’s often not a major health risk, it can be a sign of something that needs attention. You can restore the quality of your water and get rid of well water odors by determining the cause and finding the best solution with a little detective work.

What Causes Water That Smells Like Rotten Eggs?

There are several reasons your well water might have a strange smell, and they range from harmless to more serious concerns.

One of the most common and often seasonal culprits behind that “rotten egg” smell is hydrogen sulfide gas. H₂S is produced when sulfur-reducing bacteria in the water break down sulfur compounds, typically in oxygen-poor environments like deep wells. While hydrogen sulfide itself isn’t harmful in low concentrations, it can be damaging to your plumbing, cause staining, and leave behind that unmistakable odor.

Another smelly well water issue could be coming from an iron bacteria problem, which produces a musty or swampy odor. These bacteria feed on iron and manganese in the water and can leave slimy, rust-colored deposits in pipes and fixtures. In some cases, decaying organic material like leaves or algae near your well can introduce earthy or fishy smells, especially in shallow wells.

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on February 14, 2025

British Columbia shallow wells on rural properties

The History of Shallow Water Wells in British Columbia

For rural property owners across British Columbia, securing a reliable water supply through a water well is an important and often costly consideration. Historically, dug or shallow water wells were essential for early settlers and indigenous communities in British Columbia, providing a basic but often vulnerable water source due to contamination risks and seasonal fluctuations.

However, mid-20th-century advancements in water well drilling technology allowed for the construction of deeper, more reliable wells with better sanitary protection, making drilled wells the preferred method today. While many of the old dug wells remain, and commonly these wells run dry, especially in rural areas of British Columbia, modern drilled wells now dominate new installations, reflecting a broader commitment to enhanced water safety and environmental protection.

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on February 7, 2025

Homestead Living Rural Off-Grid Water Systems

Guide to Homestead Living and Rural or Off-Grid Water Systems

Water isn’t just another resource for homestead living—it’s the foundation of sustainable rural living. Whether you’re tending crops, raising livestock, or simply maintaining a self-sufficient life as a homesteader, the decision to go with a rainwater collection system vs. well water is a pivotal choice that can greatly influence the long-term sustainability and efficiency of your homestead land.

In an era where climate change and water scarcity are pressing concerns, choosing the best water system for rural living has never been more crucial, particularly for those embracing off-grid living powered by renewable energy sources.

While city dwellers often rely on municipal water systems, homesteaders minimize their dependence on external infrastructure and reduce their environmental footprint through a do-it-yourself, sustainable lifestyle. Historically, the term referred to settlers who were granted land in exchange for working and improving it, but today it describes anyone committed to this off-grid living—self-reliant way of life.

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on January 28, 2025

The Growing Challenge: Water Supply and Wildfire Risk in BC

As a 33-year veteran of the groundwater and water well drilling industry in British Columbia, I’ve witnessed firsthand how vulnerable rural properties can be when water supplies run short. Many BC rural property owners rely solely on private wells, which can become unreliable during our hot, dry summers—especially when wildfire risk peaks.

Without a dependable water source, homeowners may have no means to protect their properties during a fire emergency, potentially endangering both their homes and neighboring properties. Most critically, this lack of reliable water access could invalidate their fire insurance coverage.

The threat is increasingly real. The 2023 wildfire season was the most devastating in BC’s recorded history, with over 2.84 million hectares burned, while 2024 became the fourth worst season, with 1,688 fires consuming 1.08 million hectares. In 2024 alone, more than 15,700 properties faced evacuation orders or alerts, with severe drought conditions amplifying fire risks across regions like Prince George, where 10% of forested land burned.

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Colleen Roberts

Posted on January 21, 2025

Prince George Water Well Drilling Contractor

Looking for a Well Drilling Contractor Near You in Prince George?

Discover all the information you need to know about the water well drilling process and the 2025 costs to drill a well in Prince George.

Understanding well drilling in Prince George, British Columbia, is essential for rural property owners and developers in this growing northern region. The 2025 Prince George water well drilling guide covers everything you need to know about well drilling costs, provincial regulations, and considerations specific to Prince George’s unique geological conditions.

Proudly serving Prince George and the surrounding areas, including both urban and rural properties within the city limits. Our water well services extend to surrounding rural communities such as Blackburn, Beaverly, Salmon Valley, and Pineview, as well as to the broader Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, covering McBride, Valemount, Dome Creek, and Hixon. Additionally, we cater to properties along major highway corridors, including the Highway 97 corridor from Quesnel to Mackenzie and the Highway 16 corridor from Vanderhoof to McBride.

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