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 #44 – Take part in engagement on the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund Intentions Paper

Posted on March 6, 2023
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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

Posted on August 26, 2022
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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

Posted on March 3, 2022
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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

Posted on February 24, 2022
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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

Posted on February 16, 2022
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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

Posted on February 15, 2022
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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

Posted on February 10, 2022
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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

Posted on February 3, 2022
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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

Posted on January 26, 2022
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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

Posted on December 1, 2021
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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

Posted on September 28, 2021
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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

Posted on May 20, 2021
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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...

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