Groundwater Connections

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Welcome! This is a hub to connect residents in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) with resources and information about their aquifers and groundwater sustainability.

Groundwater connects us - neighbours, communities and the environment.

The RDN is located on the central east coast of Vancouver Island and is located within the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nations. Communities within the region include the municipalities of Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, as well as seven unincorporated Electoral Areas. The RDN is home to over 170,000 people. About half of residents in our region rely on groundwater for their water supply. Municipalities, Regional District water services, improvement districts, small water system operators and private well owners use groundwater wells to access water from regional aquifers.

How groundwater connects us

Water is always on the move. Surface water within lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, as well as groundwater within aquifers underground, are part of a system that continually cycles water between the atmosphere, the surface of the earth and below ground. Groundwater, though often hidden, is a dynamic connector. It stitches together our environment and communities, flowing quietly beneath our feet yet playing a pivotal role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting our livelihoods and communities.

What is an aquifer?

An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel that stores and transports groundwater. Aquifers can be defined as Bedrock Aquifers or Sand and Gravel Aquifers.

On this page, you can find information and resources about groundwater and groundwater sustainability in the region:

Subscribe to this page to receive notification of updates on the latest blog posts sharing stories, studies and events!


The Regional District of Nanaimo’s Drinking Water & Watershed Protection program's vision is for healthy, safe and resilient water resources in the region. Learn more about Drinking Water & Watershed Protection at dwwp.ca(External link).

Welcome! This is a hub to connect residents in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) with resources and information about their aquifers and groundwater sustainability.

Groundwater connects us - neighbours, communities and the environment.

The RDN is located on the central east coast of Vancouver Island and is located within the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nations. Communities within the region include the municipalities of Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, as well as seven unincorporated Electoral Areas. The RDN is home to over 170,000 people. About half of residents in our region rely on groundwater for their water supply. Municipalities, Regional District water services, improvement districts, small water system operators and private well owners use groundwater wells to access water from regional aquifers.

How groundwater connects us

Water is always on the move. Surface water within lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, as well as groundwater within aquifers underground, are part of a system that continually cycles water between the atmosphere, the surface of the earth and below ground. Groundwater, though often hidden, is a dynamic connector. It stitches together our environment and communities, flowing quietly beneath our feet yet playing a pivotal role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting our livelihoods and communities.

What is an aquifer?

An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel that stores and transports groundwater. Aquifers can be defined as Bedrock Aquifers or Sand and Gravel Aquifers.

On this page, you can find information and resources about groundwater and groundwater sustainability in the region:

Subscribe to this page to receive notification of updates on the latest blog posts sharing stories, studies and events!


The Regional District of Nanaimo’s Drinking Water & Watershed Protection program's vision is for healthy, safe and resilient water resources in the region. Learn more about Drinking Water & Watershed Protection at dwwp.ca(External link).

  • Groundwater Connections Check-in

    We want to hear from you! Share how you are connected to groundwater, tell us your thoughts about the latest Groundwater Connections(External link) publication, and let us know what you are doing to protect and conserve groundwater and how we can support. 

    By submitting a check-in form, you are helping us to better understand groundwater connections within our region and identify concerns or gaps that may be better supported through education, advocacy, or incentives to adopt groundwater stewardship practices (such as rebate programs).

    Submitted Forms may be entered into a draw to win a groundwater-friendly prize! Contest closes on September, 28, 2025.

    Complete the Groundwater Connections Check-in Form
    Share Groundwater Connections Check-in on Facebook Share Groundwater Connections Check-in on Twitter Share Groundwater Connections Check-in on Linkedin Email Groundwater Connections Check-in link
Page last updated: 03 Apr 2025, 11:09 AM