The BC Water Sustainability Act was brought into force on February 29, 2016 to ensure a sustainable supply of fresh, clean water that meets the needs of BC residents today and in the future. The Water Sustainability Act replaces the Water Act and is the principal law for managing the diversion and use of water resources.
The Water Sustainability Act introduces a number of changes to the way that water is managed in BC. Key changes include:
- Licensing requirements for non-domestic use
- New fees and rentals for water use
- Stronger protection for aquatic ecosystems
- Expanding protection of groundwater related to well construction and maintenance
- Increasing dam safety and awareness.
Licensing groundwater use
Under the Water Sustainability Act, anyone who diverts and uses groundwater for anything other than household use is now required to obtain a water license and pay water fees and rentals. This means that all agricultural, commercial, industrial and municipal groundwater supply wells will now have to be licensed.
New wells need to be licensed immediately and all existing wells must be licensed within a three-year transition period. If you are an existing non-domestic groundwater user, you are encouraged to apply within the three-year transition period to maintain your date of precedence. If you wait to apply until after March 1, 2019, you will be treated as a new applicant and given a junior priority date based on the date of your application.