Whereas over one million British Columbians rely on groundwater for daily use and that groundwater presents significant challenges in terms of monitoring, defining classifyingcharacterizing,and demonstrating water viability, including water-use budgetsallocations; And whereas the impacts of climate change, population growth and industrial activity are intensifying, and all three factors can negatively impact groundwater sustainability and sources: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government prioritize the following: 1. Renew the work to identify aquifers at risk in terms of productivity and vulnerability to contamination, climate change, population growth and other criteria; 2. Continue to build in the provinces groundwater monitoring capacity, including installation of additional observation wells for high risk aquifers; 3. Develop a regular reporting process on the health and viability of high-risk aquifers; and 4. Develop a funding program for local governments to support local monitoring of groundwater resources.
