Cistern rebate on Gabriola Island.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is currently offering a rebate of $500 for those that install a cistern (minimum of 1,000 gallons) on Gabriola if you meet the criteria. The "Rainwater Harvesting Incentive Program" is in response to the growing population in the area and the increasing demand on water resources. As the population of the Regional District of Nanaimo continues to grow, reducing demand on water resources and water systems will become increasingly important. I think this is a great initiative and one worth looking into quickly as they have a limited number of rebates available, if you go to the RDN website you can get the application form, details and a list of suppliers.

Septic Systems in Rural Areas

We often have people moving to Gabriola Island from urban areas, one of the topics that comes up early in conversation is about wells and septic systems. All homes on Gabriola are serviced by a private septic system. A conventional septic system includes a septic tank and soil filter called a drainfield. The tanks come in different sizes (current tanks are larger which allows for higher volume), and can be made from concrete, polyethylene or fiberglass.

If you want to increase the longevity of your septic system here are a few things you can do:
* use natural cleaning products
* have your septic system inspected every 3-5 years (or as per your maintenance plan)
* never drive over the drain field
* do not water the grass over the drainfield or plant trees near it
* avoid using powder of flake dishwasher or laundry detergents.
* minimize water use

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) offers SepticSmart Household Information Kits & SepticSmart workshops, visit their website to get a copy of the kit or sign up for the workshop.