KJ-Drought-V2 | Emergencyplanningsec

DROUGHT

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

OVERVIEW

A drought is a prolonged period of reduced precipitation that leads to water shortages affecting communities, ecosystems, and economies.

British Columbia's southwest region has seen varying drought conditions every year since 2015, with multi-year drought persisting since 2021. Rising temperatures from climate change have impacted snowpack accumulation during winter months, leading to even drier summers when rainfall is already low.

First Nations peoples are disproportionately affected by climate change, and drought is no exception. Lack of safe drinking water, detrimental affects on traditional land, and disruption to traditional food sources and activities are serious concerns. Drought can also increase the risk of wildfires, another risk that can have disproportionate effects on First Nations communities.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

EARLY AWARENESS

Unlike sudden disasters, drought develops gradually, making early awareness an essential component of preparation efforts. Drought conditions are influenced by multiple environmental factors and can be difficult to predict well in advance. However, consistent monitoring of key indicators between January and April can give critical lead time before summer dry conditions set in.

Key indicators like streamflow conditions, precipitation, groundwater levels, and snowpack conditions can be observed online on the Provincial Drought Monitor Website. If data for or near your community is unavailable on the BC Drought

Portal, communities can self-log and monitor drought indicators. Information on how to do so is provided in the Drought Toolkit.

PREPAREDNESS

Leadership can share relevant drought information and preparedness tips to the community to raise awareness before the summer. Methods can vary depending on how members prefer to receive updates, and can include things like:

Community bulletins.
Newsletters.
Workshops.
Phone alerts.

Based on finances/funding opportunities, community supports and programming can be put in place such as:

Workshops for preparation activities (e.g. drought resistant gardening).
Youth education and tools through after school activities.
Involving community in decision-making processes, such as setting and defining water restrictions.
Directory for available drought resources.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Providing financial assistance for water conservation home upgrades (e.g. water meters, rain barrels, tap aerators) can be effective ways for the community to reduce water consumption.

Many rebates and subsidies are already available, and may be applicable to your community.

CRITICAL DEMAND

Proactively identifying who in your community has the greatest need for water access ensures the most vulnerable are prioritized if supply is disrupted.

Your Critical Demand list could include priority users such as medical services, first responders, schools, childcare facilities, Elders, persons with disabilities, and others requiring additional support.

Knowing what water is available, and how long it could last, allows leadership to make informed decisions before conditions worsen.

A water inventory should capture:

Potable water sources (reservoirs, wells, treated water systems) and their estimated capacity.
Non-potable or alternate water sources and their locations
Water flow rates where measurable.
Whether sources are subject to water licensing.

Templates for water inventory documentation are available in the Drought Toolkit.

Unauthorized water use and illegal water pulling can seriously deplete shared water supplies during drought. Documenting existing water licenses before drought season begins makes it easier to identify and address unauthorized use if it is reported.

Leadership or the relevant department should:

Record all current water licenses held and note what each license permits.
Increase signage near critical water sources and aquatic habitats to deter unauthorized use.
Establish a clear process for receiving and acting on reports of unauthorized water use.

Reports can be directed to the relevant enforcement body within Treaty First Nations, or to the provincial Conservation Officer Service online or by phone at 1-877-952-7277.

RESOURCES

If your community's streams have experienced low flow or fish mortality in the past, applying for collection permits before conditions worsen is strongly recommended. Permits can take time to process and are valid for 3–4 months, so early action is important.

RESPONSE

B.C. Drought Information Portal, 2026

The B.C. Drought Information Portal provides information on the current state of drought in various regions, with Levels ranging from 0 (normal or wetter than normal) to 5 (worst case scenario). When drought conditions develop, the appropriate level of response can be determined by the severity of the current drought Level.

Voluntary Water conservation is recommended for Levels 1-2, and can include measures like watering early in the morning or in the evening to avoid evaporation, install tap aerators, and avoiding washing cars.

Mandatory restrictions are recommended for Levels 3-5, and can include measures like limiting lawn watering, prohibiting filling pools, and restricting fishing activities. Under Level 5, water use beyond food needs and basic hygiene maintenance should be restricted. Please follow your community's compliance protocol for how to enact and enforce water restrictions during Drought Hazards.

Water Procurement

During an active drought emergency, securing safe drinking water for the community becomes a priority. Water scarcity conditions can develop quickly, and having procurement steps established in advance reduces response time when it matters most.

Water can be stored in containers in a cool, dark location for approximately six months. If existing supply is insufficient or compromised, there are two primary procurement options:

Packaged Water

Procuring packaged water from a local water bottling service/company is a short-term solution to aid water supply in community. Bottled water can also be procured from Blue Triton and/or FNHA in an emergency.

Bulk Water
Bulk water can be acquired from a neighbouring community, municipality, or provincial water source. Under the Water Sustainability Act, water license rights can be temporarily extended to another party if authorized — contact the relevant comptroller for guidance.

EMCR Task Number

Communities experiencing emergencies may be eligible to obtain an Emergency Management and Climate Readiness task number through the Southwest Region EMCR.

1-888-663-3456
preoc2.ops1@gov.bc.ca

A task number will enable your community to be compensated for resources spent on response.

Evacuation

While an emergency evacuation due to drought is unlikely, putting plans in place for the scenario can help ensure a timely and smooth response.

For information about evacuations, please visit our Evacuations page.

HOW WE CAN HELP

We support 31 communities, from Yale to Semiahmoo to Squamish, in improving emergency planning and preparedness at the local and regional levels.

In an emergency, we can:

Provide surge support to administration and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Assist with the coordination of resources to communities.
Facilitate coordination communication with affected community members and partners.

Before an emergency, we can:

Assist with project engagement for emergency-related projects.
Coordinate discussions and collaborative efforts between communities, governments and other agencies.
Assist in communications and information management for contracts, projects and initiatives throughout the regional levels.
Assist in developing community emergency plans and preparedness toolkits for application during emergency situations.

Our vision is to have all of the 31 Mainland Coast Salish First Nations, from Yale to Squamish to Semiahmoo, resilient to existing and future disasters.

EMERGENCY PLANNING SECRETARIAT

Yo:yes Sq'eq'o | Working Together