A RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO PROTECTING SOURCE WATER QUALITY AND OTHER WATERSHED VALUES

We describe a risk management framework for watershed management as developed in the context of a strategic planning process undertaken by the Capital Regional District (Victoria, British Columbia) Water Department. Although based largely on the general approach to ecological risk assessment prescribed by the USEPA, the framework goes beyond “assessment” to fulfil the broader requirements of “management” by the addition of an options assessment component and an adaptive management component. This paper discusses the risk management framework, identifies key elements of the resulting strategic plan for watershed management, and presents insights of interest to watershed and water supply managers.