Recent floods, water shortages, and local water crises driving a dramatic surge in public concern over watershed security, poll finds.

Concern about destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, threats to food security, and corporate polluters fuels demand for provincial government action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2024: Victoria (unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples) — A public opinion poll released today by the BC Watershed Security Coalition reveals that concerns about British Columbia’s freshwater resources have escalated over the past 6 years.

The poll conducted by McAllister Opinion Research in collaboration with ResearchCo. highlights a dramatic rise in concern over water scarcity and watershed disasters, with 27 percentage point increases since 2018. 69% of British Columbians are now worried about personally experiencing a major water crisis in the next few years, with concerns spanning all regions of the province. 

The top threats to BC watersheds are corporate influence, destruction of fish and wildlife habitat, and loss of food crops. The poll findings reveal strong support for more decisive provincial measures to address these threats and to strengthen watershed security.

Key Findings:

• Support for Local Solutions: strong majorities of British Columbians support the creation of local Watershed Boards to give people more say in watershed decisions (74%) and training more frontline workers to monitor, restore and manage fresh water (86%).
• Industry Accountability: Over 80% of respondents support stricter enforcement of water pollution laws and believe large industrial water users should pay more to address their impacts, including pollution and water usage.
• Investment in Communities: British Columbians back a $2 billion Watershed Security Fund by a five-to-one margin, and a majority would like to see industrial water use fees and pollution fines dedicated to this Fund rather than directed to government general revenue.

In the recent provincial election, all parties made important commitments on water. This poll demonstrates a clear public mandate for the BC government to deliver on these commitments in a meaningful way.

“After being hit in recent years by an unrelenting cycle of drought, fires, and flooding, British Columbians are calling for urgent action to get ahead of the escalating threats of water scarcity and watershed disasters,”  said Coree Tull, Chair of the BC Watershed Security Coalition. “The findings are clear: there is an overwhelming demand for immediate provincial investments in frontline solutions to protect communities from water crises, and for holding large industrial water users and polluters accountable to pay their fair share.” 

The poll highlights the opportunity for collaborative action on watershed protection to be a unifying force at a time of heightened divisions and conflict.

“The poll’s top water threats – destruction of fish and wildlife habitat and loss of food security – are deeply telling,” said Dave Zehnder, owner of Zehnder Ranch and steering member of the Watershed Security Coalition. “As a rancher, I see firsthand the urgent need for the B.C. government to bring together farmers, First Nations, and communities to find solutions that balance water use for agriculture with protecting fish habitats. In a time of growing division, this poll shows that water can be a unifying issue—if we act now before it’s too late.”

Public support for local watershed boards presents an opportunity for a permanent legacy of leadership on watershed protection in the province.

“The Okanagan Basin Water Board is the only watershed board in B.C. enabled by provincial legislation, and after 50 years of success, we know that locally driven models work,” said Anna Warwick Sears, Executive Director OBWB. “This poll shows strong public support for scaling up these models across the province. The B.C. government has a unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy of watershed security—one that strengthens communities, supports reconciliation, and ensures clean, fresh water for generations to come.”

Public concern over the state of watersheds is backed up by the experience of conservation groups who have seen declining funds available for critical watershed restoration and monitoring work.

“Vital watersheds and wetlands are in peril, threatening fish and wildlife populations across the province,” said Jesse Zeman, Executive Director of B.C. Wildlife Federation. “It’s time for the B.C. and federal governments to treat watersheds and wetlands as essential infrastructure. They protect British Columbians from floods, fires and droughts, and provide critical habitat for wildlife. This poll shows strong public support for urgently scaling up the BC Watershed Security Fund before iconic fish and wildlife species disappear forever.”

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Contact:
Coree Tull, Chair, BC Watershed Security Coalition  Email:  coree@bcwaterlegacy.ca

More Details:
Watershed Security in BC: Results of Public Opinion Survey

Watershed Security in BC: Data Tables Public Opinion Survey

Background:
The BC Watershed Security Coalition is a non-partisan coalition of 50 organizations, made up of community water experts and leaders in the field, including farmers, Indigenous champions, local governments, and representing 255,000 British Columbians from all walks of life.