Domestic Well Registration

Groundwater used exclusively for domestic use does not require a licence, but if you are a domestic well owner you are strongly encouraged to register your well.

Registering your domestic well creates a record on the Provincial Groundwater Wells and Aquifer (GWELLS) application of your water use, which helps to ensure that your use is considered in decision making and during times of water scarcity.

Water supply wells that were drilled/altered/decommissioned after February 29, 2016 must be registered on the Provincial Groundwater Wells and Aquifer (GWELLS) application. It is a requirement that registered well drillers and well pump installers submit a well construction/alteration/decommission report to the Comptroller of Water Rights and the well owner within 90 days after completion of the works for water supply wells.

If you have a well that was dug or excavated (since February 2016) that is not registered you, as the well owner, need to submit a well construction report and/or a decommission report within 90 days after completion of the works for water supply wells to the Comptroller of Water Rights and the well owner.

If your well was constructed or altered prior to February 2016, and no record exists, complete a domestic well registration form and email it to Groundwater@gov.bc.ca or mail to the address on the form.

If your well was constructed or altered after February 2016, and you cannot find your well on the database, please contact Groundwater@gov.bc.ca.

Diagram of different well forms and identification plate requirements for private domestic well ownersIf your well is not used exclusively for a domestic purpose, you may be required to obtain a groundwater licence. For information about non-domestic groundwater use, please visit: Non-domestic Groundwater Use. 

Domestic Well Registration Process

Complete a well registration form (PDF) and email it to Groundwater@gov.bc.ca or mail to the address provided.

Before Submitting:

  • Ensure your well is used for domestic purposes only.
  • Complete all required information.
  • Attach a sketch or map depicting where the well is located on the property.
  • Provide any supporting documentation (e.g., well construction report) if available.
  • Sign the well registration form.

Multiple submissions for the same domestic well will impede effective processing of the well registration.

By email: groundwater@gov.bc.ca

By mail, please send to the addresses below:

Natural Resource Region

Physical and Mailing Address 

Phone and Fax Numbers 

West Coast Region 

Suite 142, 2080 Labieux Road
Nanaimo B.C., V9T 6J9

Phone: 250-751-7220
Fax: 250-751-7224

South Coast Region 

Suite 200, 10428 153rd Street
Surrey B.C., V3R 1E1

Phone: 604-586-4400
Fax: 604-586-4434

South Natural Resource Area 

1259 Dalhousie Drive
Kamloops B.C., V2C 5Z5

Phone: 250-371-6200
Fax: 250-828-4000

2501 14th Avenue
Vernon B.C., V1T 8Z1

Phone: 250-558-1700

102 Industrial Place
Penticton B.C., V2A 7C8

Phone: 250-490-8200
Fax: 250-490-2231

North Natural Resource Area 

5th Floor, 499 George Street
Prince George B.C.
V2L 1R5

Phone: 250-561-3479
Fax: 250-561-3476

Bag 5000
3726 Alfred Avenue
Smithers B.C., V0J 2N0

Phone: 250-847-7260
Fax: 250-847-7728

Contact regions