Agriculture Water Management
Last updated on August 17, 2023About 97% of water licensed in British Columbia is for power production, including storage for power production. The remaining 3% of water licensed is for consumptive uses such as industrial, commercial, drinking water or agriculture.
Water Sustainability Act
Find opportunities to engage with government during the ongoing implementation of the new Water Sustainability Act, which came into force on February 29, 2016
Water Licences for Agriculture
Water licences are required to divert and use and/or store water from both surface and groundwater sources in British Columbia for many different purposes. This document focuses specifically on agricultural water use purposes and the associated licensing requirements.
- Water Licences for Agriculture (PDF, 585KB)
Okanagan Sustainable Water Strategy
Okanagan Basin Water Board has developed a “Okanagan Sustainable Water Strategy” guidebook where strategies are recommended for the Okanagan Valley as one of the B.C. regions where water is most competitive and agriculture most dense.
- Read more about the Okanagan Sustainable Water Strategy (PDF, 4.36 MB)
Agriculture Water Demand Model
The Agriculture Water Demand Model was developed by the B.C. government in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2006 for the Okanagan. The Model estimates current and future water demand for agriculture based on soil type, irrigation system type, crop type, historical climate data, and future climate change models. To date, the Agriculture Water Demand Model has been expanded to 18 regions in the Province.
The Okanagan Sustainable Water strategy builds on many of the initiatives that have been outlined in the Living Water Smart Water Plan.
Contact information
AgriService BC
Have a question? Call or email and a staff person will assist you.
Telephone: 1 888 221-7141
E-mail: AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca