New rainwater storage tanks and attached filtration system is helping secure the water future for a vital healthcare facility on Gabriola Island. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

high-quality H2O

‘Sustains our ability to continue operating:’ new water system flowing at Gabriola health centre

Sep 11, 2025 | 5:27 AM

GABRIOLA ISLAND — A vital community facility is now more resilient to drought and is poised to provide clean water for years to come.

The Gabriola Island Community Health Centre on Church St. is home to a number of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, Life Labs and more, and is now home to a modern rainwater filtration system.

Gabriola Healthcare Foundation board director Kevin Crowley told NanaimoNewsNOW the new system comes after they’d noticed “a steady decline in water levels” in the well which previously provided the only source of potable water for the building.

“It’s perfectly capable, and it’s in good shape and all that, but looking forward, the thought was that we needed some additional source of potable drinking water, to augment what we’re getting from the well.”

Prolonged drought, driven by climate change, was seen as the main culprit for the lower water levels.

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Crowley said the $205,000 project which was paid for by the Foundation, who manage the building, has doubled their water storage capacity from 7,500 to 15,000 imperial gallons.

“It sustains our ability to continue operating the Community Health Centre, to make sure that we have enough potable water for our tenants. The Foundation operates the physical building…we act as a landlord to doctors, nurse practitioners, dentists, Life Labs and a few others, so this ensures that we have enough potable water that they can operate worry-free.”

The project came in just under their budget, thanks in large part to the work of contractors and other professionals on Island who contributed their time and talents.

Donations collected over the years by the Foundation were able to finance it, including a $20,000 gift from the Gabriola Island Lions Club as well as specific donations for this rainwater collection project.

The system ensures every drop which falls on the building is treated and stored for future use, in conjunction with their existing well supply.

“Between the gutter and the tanks, it goes through a series of filtration systems that purify it and make sure that it’s potable. Our foundation has worked very closely with Island health every step of the way here to make sure that we’re meeting all their standards for filtering rainwater and making it portable.”

A celebration is being planned for Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Centre to recognize those who contributed to the project.

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