On B.C.’s Gulf Islands and in many other rural areas, increased housing developments are creating additional pressures on well water quantity and quality. There is a growing consciousnessof how we care for the surface areas of our properties has a direct impact on groundwater quality. There are regulations in place for restricting pollutants, septic system … Read more
pictured: a watercourse not properly fenced and protected from livestock pollution When the winter rains hit, we are reminded big-time what falls from the sky seeps into the ground or eventually flows to the sea. Surface pollutants from a variety of sources (i.e. non-point source) can contaminate waterways and groundwater. Please make sure you are … Read more
Is there proper manure management for horses, hobby animals on Gabriola and other Gulf Islands? The answer: slim to none. Most acreages or hobby farms I visit are blissfully unaware of proper manure management techniques. Our extremely wet, soggy winters and highly porous soil and subsoil structure combined with an uncovered, unmanaged manure pile is … Read more
The Regional District of Nanaimo is one of the most conservation-minded, progressive, local governments in Canada. Check their site regularly, as most years they offer a wealth of rebates and incentives for homeowners to reduce costs and their environmental footprint. Septic system rebates, water sampling and testing, well protection, rainwater collection cisterns, etc. Check out … Read more
OK, so it doesn’t quite get this hot and dry here on the south coast! But water tables will be dropping soon, and so homeowners should be moving into full-on water conservation mode. Here are a few pointers . . . Do only full loads of laundry, and no multiple loads in one day. Get … Read more
At Aquality Service, we recover customers’ germicidal UV (mercury) lamps, and e-waste and take them to GIRO, our local recycling centre, for safe-recycling through BC Product Stewardship Program. We also encourage the use of longer-lasting better quality filters and treatment systems to reduce landfill waste. We recycle all our shipping cardboard and packing materials and … Read more