At first glance, Banditry Cider in Gibsons, B.C. seems like an unlikely place for a water crisis. Surrounded by apple trees, a large pond, and frequent spring rains, owner James Armstrong never imagined water shortages would threaten his business. Yet, over the past few years, climate change and recurring droughts have turned water into a critical and scarce resource across the Sunshine Coast.
Since Armstrong bought the rural property five years ago, the region has faced five summers under stage 4 water restrictions—the highest level—banning virtually all outdoor water use. In 2022, a prolonged drought pushed the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) into declaring Canada’s first local state of emergency due to drought, halting cider production at Banditry and killing orchard trees.
The situation exposed a harsh reality: the Sunshine Coast’s reliance on a single water source, Chapman Lake, was no longer sustainable as droughts intensified and the population grew. In response, the SCRD has begun installing water meters, repairing leaks, developing new wells, and partnering with the shÃshálh Nation to build two new reservoirs, backed by over $100 million in federal funding.
Alton Toth, SCRD chair, acknowledges past failures to plan for climate change but says the crisis has made the region a reluctant leader in drought management. With water fees and taxes rising to fund resilience measures, Toth emphasizes the urgent need for other municipalities to act before facing similar crises.
Meanwhile, Armstrong is investing in irrigation systems and expanding ponds to secure Banditry Cider’s future—but the emotional toll of uncertainty remains heavy. Reflecting on the region’s natural beauty and the future for his children, he remains hopeful yet realistic about the challenges ahead.
Experts like Deborah Curran, from the University of Victoria, warn that small communities dependent on single water sources must rethink their relationship with water amid accelerating climate change. The Sunshine Coast’s story is a powerful reminder that water, once taken for granted, now demands careful stewardship.
Source: Swifteradio.com
