Photo: Contributed

An independent expert has been assigned to look into the Hullcar aquifer water woes.

Spallumcheen residents who draw water from the aquifer have been on a water advisory for more than two years due to high nitrate levels caused by area agriculture.

NDP Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman announced Thursday an independent, national water and governance expert has been commissioned to support the review of the pollution in the Hullcar aquifer.

Oliver Brandes, co-director of the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria's Centre for Global Studies, will provide strategic advice and oversee aspects of the review.

Brandes will also lead a team that will make recommendations to Heyman that will ensure that best practices for the agricultural sector are aligned with the goal of ensuring safe, clean drinking water to all British Columbians.

Brandes is also an established technical advisor to the Province with respect to the ongoing development and implementation of the Water Sustainability Act. 

The terms of reference for the review have been posted to the ministry's website and the public are invited to provide input to the review from now until Aug. 31.

The review will be used to inform the development of future regulations and help provide innovative solutions to protect water quality.

Findings from the review will be posted publicly on the ministry's website.