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.

• Refer to the Register of Well Drillers/Well Pump Installers to hire a qualified well driller/well pump installer in your area.

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.

If 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