Residents drawing water from the Hullcar Aquifer have passed a dubious anniversary: it was four years ago in March a water advisory was issued due to high nitrate levels.

Since then, residents have been trying to get action taken to reduce the nitrate levels that have damaged their water supply.

It is believed farming activity is at the root of the high nitrate levels, but Save Hullcar Aquifer Team chairperson Al Price said a surprise motion by a Green Party MLA earlier this week will help with their ongoing battle.

Price said he was happy to hear Green Party Environment and Climate Change critic Sonia Furstenau introduce an amendment to the Environmental Management Act that, if passed, would disallow the deposit of waste materials in a sand or gravel pit, in a limestone or sandstone quarry or above a highly sensitive aquifer.

“Natural drinking water sources are vitally important to the people who rely on them,” said Furstenau. “Replacing them comes at a significant costs. It is essential that we take these potential costs into consideration when determining appropriate sites for waste disposal.”

Price said the move is a step in the right direction and if passed would have far reaching benefits.

“I think it is a positive move not just for the Hullcar Valley and the Splatsin people, but the whole province,” said Price.

“I know there are other vulnerable aquifers that are threatened around the province and it's more than high time that the government made sure the safe water that we have is protected and the aquifers that can be cleaned up is done so quickly.”

Price does not think there will be a quick solution to the Hullcar situation, especially with nitrate-filled effluent still being spread on area fields.

Price said current estimates are 15 years before the aquifer is remediated if the nitrates were to stop today.