Incidentally, the signs have a distinctive logo. We are asking permission to use the logo design to identify the committee functions. However, we are also open to suggestions from island artists for other designs to achieve the same purpose.

More good news! The Long Term Hydrochemical Monitoring Program on Saturna is drawing to the end of a successful first phase. This phase has involved the co-operation of 19 well owners located variously at Winter Cove, East Point, Old Point Farm, and Saturna Beach. They have been contributing monthly well water samples for analysis, and we have an almost perfect record in these collections. This has been due to the work of the regional co-ordinators, most notably Louise Peramaki, and Len Horne, as well as Elisabeth McColl and Hugh Grasswick.

The study is under the direction of Dr. Diana Allen, of Simon Fraser University. The first year of the study is providing a baseline against which to measure changes over the next ten years. Starting in September it will only be necessary to collect samples every six months. However, this study has an immediate benefit to islanders in that it is monitoring for the development of saline intrusion into wells. Saline intrusion occurs when there is an excessive drawdown on a well, and salt from the surrounding ocean finds it's way in. It is most likely to occur in wells close to the waterfront. It can mean that the well water is no longer potable without extensive and expensive treatment. The results of Dr. Allen's study can be found on her website at www.sfu.ca/earth-sciences/faculty/Allen, and this is updated regularly.

Collection and use of rainwater flows naturally (sorry, couldn't resist) from reduction of well-water use. The committee is eager to encourage rainwater collection. To this end we like to hear from anyone with experience and expertise in this. This includes businesses offering a service. Bruce Burgess of the "Rainwater Connection" gave a two hour long presentation recently which provided much useful information. This information is also available on his website www.rainwaterconnection.com. The committee will be pleased to hear from other businesses offering a service of this kind.

Altogether good news time!

Brian Dixon-Warren, Chair.

Draft of article submitted for publication in "The Scribbler" 18 June '03.

Note: The signs are now on island, & it is hoped that Pat Ropars of Highways will be able to install them within the next couple of weeks. After further consideration a sign will be placed at each of the following locations: - On the hill leading up from the ferry to alert visitors to OPF & Saturna Beach. At the T- junction on East Point Road, at the bottom of the Missing Link, to alert visitors to Winter Cove. At the turn off of Fiddlers Road from East Point Road, to alert visitors to East Point. These are all areas of concern where monitoring is in progress.

Brian Dixon-Warren
26th June '03

Submitted to Joan Combes, Secretary, SCC, by way of progress report & update 26th June '03.

Also submitted to SaturnaCAN for posting on the website.

Dr. Diana Allen has updated the information regarding the ongoing Saturna Groundwater Study by Long Term Hydrochemical Monitoring.

It now explains, in terms understandable to non-Hydrogeologists, how to interpret the results of the testing. These cumulative results are posted on Dr. Allen's website, & can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

To look at the specific results for the different island study areas just click on the "box" enclosing the area of interest. Any well owner participating in the study can contact me for the code ID of his/her own well.

The link is: -

http://www.sfu.ca/earth-sciences/faculty/Allen2002/Saturna_Chem.html

Brian Dixon-Warren,
Chair, Saturna Groundwater Protection Committee,
Box 52,- 719 Tumbo Channel Road,
SATURNA Island, BC, V0N 2Y0
Phone: 250-539-9964; Fax:250-539-9932
email: dixonwr@saturnacan.net
11 July '03.