Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline permitting, remove barriers and delays, eliminate duplication, simplify processes and shift permitting while maintaining high environmental standards and our commitment under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. As part of this work, teams across the natural resource ministries were tasked with identifying areas that would increase efficiency, remove redundancy, and/or reduce administrative burden. Opportunities with the highest potential for impact and timely implementation are being considered for recommendation to Government. 

The Water Sustainability Act (WSA) came into force in 2016 and modernized B.C.’s water laws to better manage and protect stream and groundwater supply. In the years since, the Province has continued to work on the WSA’s implementation and effectiveness. The WSA introduced new and improved requirements for groundwater diversion and use. Groundwater is deeply important to the water cycle and to people in British Columbia.  

Under the WSA, authorization from the Province is required to divert or use water from a stream or aquifer, unless the activity is specifically allowed without it. These authorizations allow for the diversion, storage, and use of water for specific amounts and purposes. They also determine what works can be constructed and operated to move water from the source to where it’s being used.  

What’s being proposed? 

B.C. is exploring the development of a new streamlined review process for low volume water licence applications so that decisions can be made faster. The proposed process would likely only be for applications for small quantities of water on streams and aquifers where the withdrawal is not expected to have an impact on other authorized water users, on land or other property, and where there are no other significant environmental or cultural concerns.   

The intent is that only applications on streams or aquifers with enough water supply might be eligible for the streamlined review process. There will likely be specific eligibility criteria developed and public feedback will help shape the final approach. 

We want to hear from you

Your feedback will help shape this proposal: 

• What do you think about streamlining the low volume water use authorization process? 
• What quantity of water would you consider small in the context of this proposal? 
• How might this impact you, your work, or your community? 
• What else should we consider? 

If you have feedback on these topics, please let us know by completing this survey: Low volume water use streamlined authorization process

The survey closes December 12, 2025.  

Learn more about our other identified opportunities to improve natural resource permitting on the govTogetherBC website.