Active Service Alert
Electoral Area Water RestrictionsMandatory watering restrictions are in effect for CRD Electoral Areas.
Updated: May 27, 2026 - 10:56am
Highland-Fernwood
About the System
The Highland-Fernwood Water System is located on the north east shore of St. Mary Lake on the north side of Salt Spring Island and provides drinking water to approximately 321 service connections.
CRD's Infrastructure & Water Services is responsible for the overall operation of the water system. The design and construction of water system facilities are overseen by CRD's Infrastructure Engineering & Planning division. A contractor conducts the day-to-day operations and maintenance. The quality of drinking water provided to customers in the Highland-Fernwood Water System is overseen by CRD's Water Quality division.
- Highland-Fernwood Water Service Area Boundary Map [PDF/1.8MB]
- Highland-Fernwood Water System Annual Report [PDF/562KB]
- 2026 Highland-Fernwood Water Rates [PDF/247KB]
- 2026 Maliview Sewer Rates [PDF/210KB]
NOTE: Annual Reports are available late June for the previous year.
Highland-Fernwood Water Treatment Plant Upgrades – Petition Process
The CRD is making progress on upgrades to the Highland-Fernwood Water Treatment Plant to replace obsolete SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) process and controls equipment as well as an assessment and strategy for asbestos cement (AC) water main replacements. Before the projects begin construction, local ratepayers will need to approve borrowing to secure funds for the project.
The CRD is seeking approval to borrow up to $400,000 to complete the water treatment plant upgrades through a petition process involving local property owners. The petition will be open to homeowners until April 8, 2026.
There will be an open house at SIMS (Salt Spring Island Multi Space), Room 2 at 124 Rainbow Rd on March 31 from 6 - 7 pm where staff will provide more information on the projects and be available to answer questions.
Learn more about the project, funding and petition requirements:
Water Restrictions
The Electoral Area Water Conservation Bylaw (4492) is in effect May 1 to September 30, unless otherwise authorized by the General Manager of Infrastructure & Water Services.
- Check the service alert for up to date water conservation stages for this system.
- Visit our water restrictions page for more information about the bylaw.
Source Water
The Highland-Fernwood Water System obtains its drinking water from St. Mary Lake, a small surface water body that lies within a 650 hectare, uncontrolled watershed near the northern end of Salt Spring Island. While the lake is used for recreational purposes, only electric boat motors are allowed. During the warm months of the year, North Salt Spring Waterworks operates two large aerators in the middle of the lake. These aerators provide oxygen to the bottom layers of the lake.
Water Treatment Process
The Highland-Fernwood system was upgraded in 2012 to include one centralized treatment plant consisting of:
- Dissolved air flotation
- Filtration
- Disinfection with ultra violet (UV) light
- Chlorine (liquid sodium hypochlorite) disinfection.
Distribution System
Treated water is pumped to the storage tanks within the Highland-Fernwood system and distributed to customers through a network of mostly 100mm (4“) water mains. The distribution system also contains hydrants and standpipes. Service connections are provided to the property line with curb stops and individual household meters. Service from the property line to the dwelling is the homeowners’ responsibility.
Emergency Notifications
Register for the Public Alert Notification System to receive drinking water related notifications such as boil water advisories. This system is also used to notify Electoral Area residents in the event of a disaster or emergency such as earthquakes, tsunami warnings, or hazardous spills.
