Drought preparation and response

Publication date: June 17, 2024

B.C. is taking strong, early action to keep people and communities safe through drought now, and in the years to come.

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One small change. One big difference.


About drought in B.C.

B.C. continues to get less rain and snow than usual and that’s having a lasting impact on water levels. We experienced severe drought last year and remain at high risk this year. 

What is drought 

Drought is a long period with below normal rain or snow that may result in a water shortage. It can affect the water we need to drink, grow our food, and keep our fish, animals and environment healthy.

Learn more about drought

Drought Information Portal

Drought levels are measured using a 0 to 5 scale, with 5 the most severe, based on water supply from snow, rain and rivers. In 2023, 80% of regions had severe drought. In April 2024, average snowpack was at an all-time low.

Drought level map (May-November)
Snow level map (January-June)

Local drought conditions 

Local conditions may vary within a region depending on the water storage, supply and demand in each community. Follow your municipality or First Nation for local updates. 

Find your community website 

  

Preparing for drought

We’re helping everyone get prepared for drought now, so we can respond early, recover faster, and be more ready for the future.

What you can do 

You can help by making small changes to use less water at home. If you’re able, you can also plant drought resistant yards, invest in water efficient taps, toilets and washers, or collect rainwater – many communities offer rebates. 

Learn more ways to save water  

Farmers and food producers

We’re helping farmers build better infrastructure to store water on farms for food and animals, making crops more climate hardy and water efficient, and providing financial supports and resources when they need them.

Find resources for farmers 

Communities and First Nations

We’re making sure people have the water they need by building better infrastructure to manage water levels in lakes and rivers, improving drinking water systems, and keeping animals, fish and watersheds healthy.

Find resources for communities 

 

Saving water during drought

Water is crucial to us all. That is why responding to drought is a shared responsibility. If there are water shortages, restrictions may be needed to make sure everyone has access to the water they need. Many farmers and industry are already taking action to use less water.

Voluntary water conservation

If action is needed, our first step is to encourage everyone to help save water voluntarily. Because small changes make a big difference when we do them together – and it could prevent the need for water restrictions.

Learn how you can help save water 

Local water restrictions

Your local government or First Nation may issue local water restrictions if further action is needed to manage water supply and demand in your community. This could limit or restrict when you can water lawns, wash cars or use washers.

Check with your community for water restrictions

Temporary Protection Orders

Water users may be legally required to reduce or stop water use. This is as a last resort if voluntary efforts aren’t enough to restore water flows and protect at-risk fish and watersheds from long-lasting, irreversible harm.

Temporary Protection Orders 

What you can do

Everyone can help save water at home, outside, and at work. Small changes make a big difference when we do them together. In times of water shortages, follow local water restrictions

 

Indoor water saving tips

  • Take shorter showers (5 minutes or less) – shortening by one minute saves up to 2,700 litres a year
  • Turn off the tap when brushing or shaving – save up to 8,300 litres a year
  • Fix leaky toilets – save up to 350,000 litres per year
  • Skip the car wash – save up to 260 litres per vehicle
  • Run full loads of laundry – save up to 200 litres per load
  • Fill the sink if washing by hand
  • Keep a jug of cool water in the fridge instead of running the tap
 

Outdoor water saving tips 

  • Follow local water restrictions or water use rules – many regions already have outdoor watering restrictions
  • If allowed, water your lawn only once a week – save 37,600 litres a month 
    • Lawns only need 1 inch of water per week
    • Water in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation
  • Collect rainwater or reuse grey water for outdoor plant use
  • Plant drought tolerant yards and gardens
  • Clean outside with a broom instead of a hose
  • Check all plumbing and hoses for leaks
  • Use a water-saving pool filter
 

Business and industry water saving tips

  • Follow:
  • Review essential water use
  • Reduce non-essential water use
  • Maximize water system efficiency
  • Recycle water used in industrial operations
  • Use water efficient methods and equipment
  • Check all plumbing for leaks
  • Maintain landscaping with gray water
  • Install a water recirculating system 
  • Conduct a water audit
  • Monitor water usage
  • Implement water saving policies
  • Install low flow devices
  • Upgrade to water conserving fixtures for industrial use
  • Replace high-volume hoses with high-pressure, low-volume cleaning systems
  • Encourage employees to adopt water-saving behaviours 

To ask questions and get more information on water licenses or temporary protection orders, contact the FrontCounter BC office in your region.

Rebates and incentives

Many communities offer rebates or incentives to help people save money and use less water. If you’re able, switch to water efficient taps, toilets and washers; installing rain barrels; and improve irrigation, soil or drought-resistant landscaping. Check with your community for details or review the list of rebates below.

 

Provincewide

 

Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley 

Abbotsford and Mission

​City of Chilliwack

City of Coquitlam

Delta

  • Delta single-family homeowners can sign up for the Voluntary Water Meter Program that promotes a user-pay system, as opposed to a flat rate fee, which encourages conservation

City of Port Coquitlam

Maple Ridge

Richmond

 

Northern B.C.

Mackenzie

Prince George

Williams Lake

  • Williams Lake offers appliance rebates for upgrading toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers to be low-flow and more efficient

Okanagan Basin Water Board

 

Thompson Okanagan

Kelowna

  • The City of Kelowna Smart Water Program offers rebates for people living in single-family dwellings and strata complexes for updating irrigated landscape areas on water use efficiency 

Peachland

  • The Peachland Green Credits Policy provides water consumption costs credits for irrigation water food producers with properties between one-half and two acres in size 
 

Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast

Comox Valley Regional District

  • The Comox Valley Regional District Water Conservation Rebates are available for use water from the Comox Valley Water System more efficiently through irrigation or soil

Regional District of Nanaimo

  • The Regional District of Nanaimo Water Conservation rebates offers rebates and incentives for irrigation upgrades, rainwater harvesting, wellhead upgrades, well water testing and septic upgrades 

Sunshine Coast Regional District

  • The Sunshine Coast Regional District Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program offers rebates for installing rainwater storage systems to capture and use water for outdoor water use

City of Campbell River

City of Victoria

Capital Regional District

Galiano Island

Town of Ladysmith

Impact to people and environment

 

Fish and angling limits 

  • Drought can cause low stream flows and warm water conditions. This makes fish, especially cold-water species like trout, salmon and steelhead, more vulnerable to low oxygen levels and disease
  • Fish are critical to keeping our environment healthy. Fish also hold important cultural value for many Indigenous peoples and contribute to food security for many communities
  • During drought, actions may be taken to protect vulnerable fish and watersheds from long-lasting harm that could take generations to recover, including: 
 

Bears in urban areas

  • Due to the impacts of drought, bears may enter urban areas in search of food. Often, that new food source is garbage or birdfeeders. Discourage bears by cleaning up, storing, and securing your garbage. For more bear safety tips, visit WildSafeBC.com
  • If you encounter a bear in an urban area, give it space. If a bear displays aggressive or confrontational behaviour, contact the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277
 

Urban trees

  • Trees near sidewalks and on public spaces or boulevards are important to the health of cities. They provide shade and cooling during extreme heat
  • Communities will continue watering urban trees. Consider helping by using recycled water to water a tree near your home or business. To report a tree in distress – one that has leaves that are light-coloured, small, or are hanging down unusually – please contact your local government or First Nations
 

Wildfires

  • Drought conditions increase the risk of wildfires. It's easier for lightning and strong winds to start wildfires. Hot and dry weather allows fire to spread faster and burn longer
  • Be fire smart and do your part to prevent wildfires. Follow all fire bans and restrictions
  • Wildfire crews can continue using water to fight fires if water restrictions are in place
 

Food security

  • Drought can reduce crop growth and quality, leading to smaller harvests
  • That is why we’re helping farmers and food producers prepare for drought by building more water storage on farms, planting more drought resistant and water efficient crops, and providing support and resources
 

Drinking water

  • Drought can impact water supply, affect water quality and reduce water pressure
  • If drought threatens a community’s water supply, emergency supplies will be provided to protect public health and safety

Resources for farmers and food producers

We recognize the challenges and stress drought puts on farmers and our overall food security. That’s why we’re helping farmers every step of the way.  

 

 

Drought resources and financial supports

  • Many resources and supports are available to farmers and food producers experiencing drought, including: 
    • Insurance and financial assistance to recover losses 
    • Health and wellness resources to help reduce stress and improve well-being 
    • Guides for managing crops and livestock during drought 
  • Drought Information Portal shows the drought level classification in B.C.’s 34 water basins. Local conditions within each basin may vary depending on water storage, supply and demand. 
  • Agriculture Water Calculator helps farmers estimate the annual irrigation or livestock water requirements for a farm or ranch. 
  • 2024 Quick Guide to Drought Resources (PDF) 
 

Drought and water management workshops

  • Online and in-person workshops and on-farm demonstrations are being held across the province to help farmers and food producers prepare for drought. Learn about new ways to save water and how to access supports and resources
  • Find a session near you or watch a recording
 

Access to Feed program

 

Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. 

  • IAF delivers a variety of funding programs supporting BC’s agriculture and agrifood sector.
  • Find out how to apply
 

Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program

  • Farmers and food producers can apply for infrastructure funding to better manage, collect, transport and store water for agriculture and irrigation purposes
  • Find out how to apply (applications open in May)
 

Perennial Crop Renewal Program

  • Growers can apply for funding to remove, replace and plant more climate hardy crops such as apples, cherries, grapes, raspberries, blueberries and hazelnuts
  • Find out how to apply 
 

Agriculture and seafood programs

  • Agriculture and seafood producers and processors can access programs and funding to support their businesses.
  • Find out how to apply 
 

Get support

  • Industry experts are ready to help farmers and food producers who need support  
    • Contact your local industry association or
    • Call the AgriService BC line Monday to Friday between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at 1-888-221-7141

Resources for communities

We work with local governments and First Nations year-round to prepare for drought and make sure communities have the water they need.

 

Community preparedness

 

Local government drought management

  • Local governments can support drought management through data collection, program and information delivery, emergency response and other tools and strategies.
  • Find out more
 

Improving water infrastructure

 

Watershed Security Strategy and Fund

 

Salmon protection and watershed restoration 

 

Water reimbursement program

  • A reimbursement program for First Nations and local governments for the transportation of alternate drinking water is available. If required, First Nations and local governments should contact their provincial regional emergency coordination centre.
  • If a community experiences a severe water shortage, an emergency response will be activated
  • If required, communities can be reimbursed for transporting alternate drinking water and desalinization units. Contact your provincial regional emergency coordination centre
 

Tourism

 

Get support

Resources for water licensees

Water licences allow people to use surface or groundwater for agriculture, industrial and other purposes. This does not guarantee that water is always going to be available. Getting a licence helps make sure water is managed well across the province. Learn how to get a water licence.

Water licensing during drought

During times of water scarcity, the B.C. government has legal options to protect the rights of water users, essential household needs and the environment. Licence holders may be required to reduce or stop water use. 

Water use during scarcity 

Controlling unauthorized use

Unauthorized water use can make low flow conditions worse during drought. Licence holders help provincial staff manage water fairly. If you spot unauthorized water use, report it online or by phone at 1-877-952-7277. 

Report Natural Resource Violations

Compliance and enforcement

Failure to comply with water restrictions or Temporary Protection Orders could result in penalties under the Water Sustainability Act and stiff fines up to $500,000.

Learn more about water laws and rules 

 

Watch videos related to drought

What is snowpack and why does it matter?

 

Drought in B.C. isn't always obvious, but it can have a big impact