Services - Utilities

Water
Where does Bowen get its drinking water? Well, . . . from the sky! Bowen has a series of watersheds that drain into creeks and lakes or permeate deep into the ground. From these sources of catchment some 14 neighborhoods built their own water distribution systems and managed them. In 2003 the Bowen Municipality took on the responsibility for six of the larger systems. Those Bowen areas outside these neighbourhood systems draw their household water from creeks or wells.
All households are encouraged to conserve water and to collect roof water for gardening, car and deck washing.

Sewage
Except for Snug Cove, which has a secondary sewage treatment plant with ocean outfall, all buildings use septic tanks and distribution fields for sewage disposal. Residents are, and visitors must be, aware that disposal of non-organic or water soluble materials when flushing the toilet has a negative impact on any septic system or treatment plant.

Garbage
Bowen transports all its waste and recyclable materials off the island and islanders are active in recycling. Road side pick up is weekly. All garbage cans must have display a current garbage decal. The decals are purchased at Municipal Hall. Seasonally, garden waste is collected for composting off-island.
The recycling depot on Mount Gardner Road is run entirely by the volunteers of B.I.R.D. ( Bowen Island Recycling Depot) who do an excellent job of helping to reduce the amount of landfill disposal on the mainland.

Electricity
Hydro power comes to Bowen underwater from West Vancouver. It is distributed via overhead wires to all parts of the island. These overhead wires can be broken when trees fall across them during winter storms or they can be damaged by weekend loggers. These occasional occurrences can cause the whole island or just some areas to experience outages until a repair crew can attend.

Telephone
Bowen Island telephone numbers all have the exchange 947 so, if you ask a resident for a phone number, don’t be surprised if you are given only the last four digits. Telephone wires follow the same route as the hydro wires which means that tree falling can also affect telephone service Many residents are using wireless or cell phones and, depending on the company used, get varying reception around this hilly island.

Internet
With the addition in recent years of high speed, ADSL or Cable, internet access, many more households have computers, and more residents are able to work from home with less need to visit the office in the city on a daily basis.