New Water Source Project

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Planning for Our Future Water Supply

The Abbotsford Mission Water Sewer Commission oversees the regional water system that supplies water to the City of Mission and the City of Abbotsford. As the co-owner and Operator of the regional water system, the City of Abbotsford is in the early stages of developing a New Water Source for our two communities.

Today, our regional water system relies on three main sources: Norrish Creek north-east of Mission, Cannell Lake in Mission, and wells in Abbotsford. The Norrish Creek Watershed is the primary source for the supply of drinking water to the regional water supply system, providing approximately 60 to 70% of the water supply for Abbotsford and Mission annually.

Supporting community growth and development requires that drinking water be reliably available over the long-term, efficiently delivered when and where it is needed, and used wisely. Reliability requires addressing both current and potential future challenges, such as the potential impacts of climate change.

New Water Source Project

The Abbotsford Mission Water Master Plan identifies new vertical wells to be located in Matsqui Prairie as the preferred long-term option for augmenting Abbotsford and Mission’s water supply capacity and resilience, subject to further study. The New Water Source Project is in the initial stages of studying this new water source to improve the regional system’s ability to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the community at a reasonable cost.

The New Water Source Project technical team recently completed their background research and are now moving into the Stage 2 – Field Investigations phase of the project. The purpose of the field investigations is to help determine whether vertical wells located in Matsqui Prairie will be able to reliably meet long-term water supply needs and, if so, to identify the optimal number and locations for the wells.

To help establish this, the initial field investigations starting in May 2026 will focus on evaluating subsurface conditions on City-owned property in Matsqui Prairie utilizing data collection methods conducted by field crews on foot and by boat along the Fraser River. During this period, field crews, survey equipment, vehicles and a small survey vessel will be intermittently operating in the Matsqui Prairie area and along the Fraser River. Once this work is complete and findings are reviewed, additional field investigations, including test drilling, will take place over the summer and fall of 2026.

Community Engagement and Feedback

Abbotsford and Mission are growing communities, and we are working to ensure that everyone continues to have safe, reliable drinking water, now and in the future. Community engagement and input is an important part of the New Water Source Project and all feedback from the public will be taken into consideration.

The City of Abbotsford is committed to keeping residents informed and engaged as the project progresses. Visit the project page for the latest updates and sign up under “Follow Project” on the right to receive key information as the discovery phase moves forward through 2026 and 2027.

Planning for Our Future Water Supply

The Abbotsford Mission Water Sewer Commission oversees the regional water system that supplies water to the City of Mission and the City of Abbotsford. As the co-owner and Operator of the regional water system, the City of Abbotsford is in the early stages of developing a New Water Source for our two communities.

Today, our regional water system relies on three main sources: Norrish Creek north-east of Mission, Cannell Lake in Mission, and wells in Abbotsford. The Norrish Creek Watershed is the primary source for the supply of drinking water to the regional water supply system, providing approximately 60 to 70% of the water supply for Abbotsford and Mission annually.

Supporting community growth and development requires that drinking water be reliably available over the long-term, efficiently delivered when and where it is needed, and used wisely. Reliability requires addressing both current and potential future challenges, such as the potential impacts of climate change.

New Water Source Project

The Abbotsford Mission Water Master Plan identifies new vertical wells to be located in Matsqui Prairie as the preferred long-term option for augmenting Abbotsford and Mission’s water supply capacity and resilience, subject to further study. The New Water Source Project is in the initial stages of studying this new water source to improve the regional system’s ability to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the community at a reasonable cost.

The New Water Source Project technical team recently completed their background research and are now moving into the Stage 2 – Field Investigations phase of the project. The purpose of the field investigations is to help determine whether vertical wells located in Matsqui Prairie will be able to reliably meet long-term water supply needs and, if so, to identify the optimal number and locations for the wells.

To help establish this, the initial field investigations starting in May 2026 will focus on evaluating subsurface conditions on City-owned property in Matsqui Prairie utilizing data collection methods conducted by field crews on foot and by boat along the Fraser River. During this period, field crews, survey equipment, vehicles and a small survey vessel will be intermittently operating in the Matsqui Prairie area and along the Fraser River. Once this work is complete and findings are reviewed, additional field investigations, including test drilling, will take place over the summer and fall of 2026.

Community Engagement and Feedback

Abbotsford and Mission are growing communities, and we are working to ensure that everyone continues to have safe, reliable drinking water, now and in the future. Community engagement and input is an important part of the New Water Source Project and all feedback from the public will be taken into consideration.

The City of Abbotsford is committed to keeping residents informed and engaged as the project progresses. Visit the project page for the latest updates and sign up under “Follow Project” on the right to receive key information as the discovery phase moves forward through 2026 and 2027.

  • Stage 2 Field Investigation work underway in Matsqui Prairie

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    Over the next few months, crews from Peter’s Well Drilling and Blue Max Sonic Drilling will be conducting investigative drilling at several City-owned sites in Matsqui Prairie as part of Stage 2 Field Investigation work for our New Water Source Project.

    Before drilling begins, the Stó:lō Research and Resource Manage Centre will be on-site to complete archaeological test pits at the planned drill site locations. This work will be carried out using shovels and hand augers to help identify and protect any potential archaeological resources. If no artifacts are found, the test pits will be backfilled the same day. If a test pit needs to remain open for further assessment, the area will be securely fenced to ensure public safety.

    Following the archaeological work, crews will begin installing monitoring wells, followed by the drilling of larger diameter test wells to better understand the groundwater availability and water quality.

    Drilling is expected to begin August 11 and continue for approximately 10 weeks. During this period, people using Matsqui Trail may notice field crews, drill rigs, work trucks and other heavy equipment in the area. While trail closures are not anticipated, users may experience some temporary noise and light vibration during drilling activities, which will be limited to weekday working hours between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Signage will be posted along the trail to identify work areas.

    Once the test wells have been installed, crews will periodically pump water to assess groundwater conditions, including water quantity, quality and levels. This work is estimated to continue into the fall. Test pumping is not expected to create noticeable noise or disrupt nearby properties or trail usage. Water pumped during testing will be safely returned to the Fraser River.


    Drilling activity will take place in the outlined area.



    Over the next few months, crews from Peter’s Well Drilling and Blue Max Sonic Drilling will be conducting investigative drilling at several City-owned sites in Matsqui Prairie as part of Stage 2 Field Investigation work for our New Water Source Project.

    Before drilling begins, the Stó:lō Research and Resource Manage Centre will be on-site to complete archaeological test pits at the planned drill site locations. This work will be carried out using shovels and hand augers to help identify and protect any potential archaeological resources. If no artifacts are found, the test pits will be backfilled the same day. If a test pit needs to remain open for further assessment, the area will be securely fenced to ensure public safety.

    Following the archaeological work, crews will begin installing monitoring wells, followed by the drilling of larger diameter test wells to better understand the groundwater availability and water quality.

    Drilling is expected to begin August 11 and continue for approximately 10 weeks. During this period, people using Matsqui Trail may notice field crews, drill rigs, work trucks and other heavy equipment in the area. While trail closures are not anticipated, users may experience some temporary noise and light vibration during drilling activities, which will be limited to weekday working hours between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Signage will be posted along the trail to identify work areas.

    Once the test wells have been installed, crews will periodically pump water to assess groundwater conditions, including water quantity, quality and levels. This work is estimated to continue into the fall. Test pumping is not expected to create noticeable noise or disrupt nearby properties or trail usage. Water pumped during testing will be safely returned to the Fraser River.


    Drilling activity will take place in the outlined area.



Page last updated: 05 Aug 2026, 03:56 PM