It’s hard to imagine in this soggy region, but water resources are under pressure.

British Columbia is starting to run out of groundwater thanks to soaring population, more wells and climate changes including less snow, according to the latest in a series of water-related stories in The Tyee.

Researchers don’t know exactly how much groundwater is withdrawn now, the story says. But there’s evidence of dropping acquifers, especially in the Okanogan and on Vancouver Island. With the area’s population forecast to grow by a third to one-half by 2020, alternate water sources need to be found.

Meanwhile, in the Portland area the EPA recently designated a major aquifer under Clark County for closer consideration during construction projects. The decision doesn’t automatically stop any projects but is a sign that the health of the area’s water resources should at least be a factor.