Welcome. The purpose of this site is to provide you with opportunities to engage with government during the ongoing implementation of the new Water Sustainability Act, which came into force on February 29, 2016. Results of the engagement that has taken place since 2009 can also be found on this site.
Much of the detail related to implementation of the Water Sustainability Act is provided in regulations and operational policies. An initial set of regulations also came into effect on February 29, 2016. Due to the number of proposed regulations and policies, government is taking a phased approach to their development and work in this area continues.
Since the project of modernizing provincial water law began in 2009, government has heard from First Nations, industry and environmental groups, local governments, and individuals with an interest in our water resource. British Columbians sent in thousands of submissions with ideas covering everything from how to protect groundwater, how to ensure our streams and lakes stay healthy, to considering water when we make land use decisions. These ideas helped to inform the policies in the Water Sustainability Act and the initial set of regulations under the Act.
This web site describes the engagement process to date, the written submissions received and the results of the engagement.
NEW: Blog Post #45 – Developing a new regulation under the Water Sustainability Act
Water is one of BC’s most important natural resources and must be managed appropriately to protect both human and ecosystem health. This is why the Province is pleased to be moving ahead with the...
Blog Post #44 – Take part in engagement on the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund Intentions Paper
Watershed Security Strategy In early 2022, the Province started engagement on the Watershed Security Strategy (the Strategy) through a discussion paper. The Province heard from respondents that...
Blog Post #43 – Minor updates to B.C.’s drought guidance documents
The Province has released updated versions of the “B.C. Drought and Water Scarcity Response Plan” and its companion, “Dealing with Drought: Handbook for Water Suppliers”. The new versions of...
Blog Post #42 – Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems
Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems Overview Healthy aquatic ecosystems are fundamental to achieving watershed security, as they are important to the wellbeing of all living things and can help buffer...
Blog Post #41 – Re-setting the Water Supply and Demand Relationship
Re-setting the Water Supply and Demand Relationship Overview Water scarcity events – when demand for water is greater than supply – typically occur in B.C. during late summer and early fall....
Blog Post #40 – Watershed Knowledge Data
Watershed Knowledge and Data Overview Effective watershed management requires everyone involved to have access to the tools, knowledge, and information they need to inform their decisions....
Blog Post #39 – WSA Groundwater Licensing Deadline
WSA Groundwater Licensing Deadline | Ministers Letter The deadline for existing non-domestic groundwater users to apply for a water licence is March 1, 2022. Please find below an important message...
Blog Post #38 – Governance, Management and Policy
Governance, Management and Policy Overview The Watershed Security Strategy is an opportunity to help shape decisions and actions related to water in B.C. which may include new governance...
Blog Post #37 – Water and Reconciliation
Overview The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act enshrines in law B.C.’s commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN...
Blog Post #36 – Opening of engagement on Watershed Security Strategy and Fund
Watershed Security Strategy Protecting our watersheds is one of the most important things we can do as a province to create a healthier and more resilient future for all living things. There are...
Blog Post #35 – Less than 90 days remain for groundwater users to apply for licence
A critical deadline for select groundwater users is less than 90 days away. March 1, 2022 is the deadline to apply for a water licence for “existing groundwater users” - those who were using...
Blog Post #34 – Six months remain before groundwater application deadline
Only six months remain for some groundwater users to apply for a water licence. March 1, 2022 is the deadline to apply for a water licence for those who were using groundwater from a well or dugout...
Blog Post #33 – Spring-Summer Trial of B.C.’s Proposed Drought Levels
In March 2021, the Province released a proposal to update and expand British Columbia’s (B.C.) drought levels. The proposal aims to more accurately describe drought and water scarcity...
Blog Post #32 – Proposal to Update B.C.’s Drought Levels – What do you think?
The Province is seeking your feedback on a proposal to update British Columbia’s (B.C.) drought level scale. Drought severity in B.C. is currently communicated to British Columbians through four...
Blog Post #31 – Update on Proposed Livestock Watering Policy Development
Following the January 2018 release of the Livestock Watering under the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) Intentions Paper, the Province received feedback from Indigenous Governments, Indigenous...
Blog Post #30 – New Regulations for Water Use in Mineral Exploration and Small-Scale Placer Mining
Government has updated the Water Sustainability Regulation (WSR) to include provisions regarding the use of water for mineral exploration and small scale placer mining. On December 17, 2019,...
Blog Post #29 – Release of What We Heard document for Livestock Watering Intentions Paper
In January 2018, government released an intentions paper aimed at regulating and improving livestock watering practices where there is low-density livestock grazing on Crown and private range lands....
Blog Post #28 – Release of What We Heard document for Water Use in Mineral Exploration and Small Scale Placer Mining Intentions Paper
In fall 2018, government released an intentions paper proposing regulations that would continue to allow the use of unrecorded water for mineral exploration and small-scale placer mining activities...
Blog Post #27 – Groundwater Licensing Update
Government has extended the water licence application transition period for those who were using groundwater on or before February 29, 2016 for any non-domestic use, including agricultural,...
Blog Post #26 – Deadline Extension
Government has extended the deadline, under section 56 of the Water Sustainability Regulation, from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019 for the allowance of water use for mineral exploration and...
Blog Post #25 – Proposed Mineral Exploration and Small Scale Placer Mining Regulatory Provisions: What do you think?
Historically, water use for prospecting did not require an authorization and over time mineral exploration and small scale placer mining were considered prospecting. This changed in 2016 with the...
Blog Post #24 – Proposed Livestock Watering Regulations
Livestock that graze on range land drink water directly from streams and other water bodies, as well as from off-stream watering systems such as a watering trough. Managing livestock watering by...
Blog Post #23 – Amendments to Water Sustainability Act Regulations
Since the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) and regulations were brought into effect, government has made a number of amendments to the regulations. Amendments are typically used to fine-tune...
Blog Post #22 – Existing Well Water Users
Do you use well-water for irrigation or commercial purposes? In response to public feedback on the application process for existing groundwater users, government is extending the exemption of the...
Blog Post #21 – Update on Regulation Work under the WSA
Since the Water Sustainability Act came into effect on February 29, 2016, the Ministries of Environment and Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations have been developing proposals to fine-tune...