Apply for water licence

Apply for a water licence under the Water Sustainability Act

Eligibility

Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements prior to applying. 

One of the following must be applicable:

  • Own the land or a mine where the water will be used
  • Be entitled to possession of land or a mine where the water will be used
  • Have substantial interest in the land, mine or undertaking where the water will be used
  • Hold a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under the Public Utilities Act, the Utilities Commission Act or the Water Utility Act
  • Apply as a municipality, regional district, improvement district development district or water users’ community
  • Represent the Government of British Columbia or Government of Canada
  • Represent a commission, board or person having charge of the administration of Crown land or a mine or an undertaking on Crown land, administered by British Columbia or Canada or controlled by a ministry, department, branch or other subdivision of the Government of British Columbia or Government of Canada
  • Represent the Greater Vancouver Water District or any other water district incorporated by an act
  • Represent the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Overview

This application is to apply for a water licence under the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) which if granted, permits you to divert, use or store water from a stream or groundwater from an aquifer, and to construct works.

As defined in the WSA:

  • A stream includes a natural watercourse, a natural body of water, or source of water supply, and a lake, pond, river, creek, spring, ravine, gulch, wetland, or glacier
  • An aquifer means a geological formation containing, or capable of containing groundwater
  • Groundwater, is water naturally occurring below the surface of the ground

Groundwater that is used for domestic purposes is exempt from licensing and paying provincial water fees and rentals.

A water licence specifies the water source, the water use purpose, the maximum quantity of water that may be used, and the works associated with the water use, as well as where the water can be used. Water use may be restricted to certain times of the year. Please review any existing Water allocation notations on the source you are considering applying for. Water allocation notations may have important information regarding the availability of water for that source.

You can apply to use water for more than one water use purpose on your application. Read the Water Use Purposes (PDF, 220KB) to see which one(s) you should apply for.

If your well or proposed works will occupy Crown land you will be required to provide proof that an authorization for that use of Crown land has been granted, or an application for an authorization to use Crown land has been made. Authorization can be in the form of a permit over Crown land, or a more formal tenure under the Land Act. Tenure under the Land Act is normally required for larger projects such as waterpower or waterworks. If you require a Crown land authorization, but do not already have one, you will be prompted to apply for a permit or tenure as part of the water licence application process.

Notice: Watershed management basins in Northeast BC

As of November 28, 2023 new guidance is available for implementing a Pilot Environmental Flow Needs approach for the Blueberry River, Upper Beatton River and Lower Sikanni Chief watershed management basins in Northeast BC. This will impact the adjudication and review of applications in the pilot watersheds.

Visit Environmental flow needs for more information or use the Water Use Application Report at Pilot Water Allocation Tool to investigate potential water availability before applying

Costs

Application Fee

Fees are charged for applications and also charged on applications for permits over Crown land, and are based on the size of the affected area. Read about Water application fees and rental rates and estimate your costs.

Fees can be paid online at the time of application, or at a FrontCounter BC location. See payment guidelines for more information.

Most application fees are non-refundable. Check the Policy: Refunds for Applications (PDF, 105KB) for more information.

Water Rental Fee (yearly)

There is an annual rental fee for a water licence which is based on the quantity of water authorized and on the specific water use purpose. If a permit over Crown land is issued an additional yearly rental fee will also apply. Users of groundwater for domestic purposes are exempt from obtaining a licence or paying water rentals.

Application fees and annual rentals are not required from:

  • Provincial or federal ministries
  • First Nations using water on reserve land
  • Nisga'a citizen or entities applying to use water from the Nisga'a Water Reservation
  • Applications that are processed by the BC Energy Regulator

Exemption for use of water on Treaty lands is also possible. Individual Treaty Agreements will be referenced when determining exemptions.

Responsibilities

For use of groundwater, the WSA allows you to construct a well for the purpose of testing the quality or quantity of water or conducting a flow test; however, you must wait until your application is approved and a water licence is granted before you can use the groundwater for other purposes.

As a licensee, you are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of any works constructed under your water licence.

Apply

Collect the following information and documents before you start your online application.

Applicant and water source

  • The name and contact information of the applicant and the applicant's agent, if applicable. If there are co-applicants for the licence, a BCeID is required in order to complete and submit the application. Obtain the BCeID before starting your water licence application as you will not be able to save your application without it
  • The official name of the water source(s) (stream or aquifer) or a description of the location of the source(s)
  • If the application relates to water in a stream, the official name of the stream to which a proposed source of the water discharges or is immediately tributary or a location description for that stream
  • If the water relates to water in an aquifer, the name of each stream or other aquifer known to the applicant to be reasonably likely to be hydraulically connected to the source aquifer, or, if there is no official name for the stream or aquifer, a location description for that stream or aquifer
  • If water is to be stored in a reservoir, the official name of the reservoir, if known, or a location description of the reservoir

Purpose of water use

  • The purpose(s) for which the water will be used and the quantity of water that will be diverted or stored for each water use purpose. You can read the list of Water Use Purposes (PDF, 220KB)
  • If the water will be used for a power purpose, the amount of power that will be generated
  • If the water will be used for irrigation water use purpose, the area of land that will be irrigated. Estimate your crop irrigation needs using the BC Agriculture Water Calculator. The calculator estimates irrigation water for a specific location, soil type, crop type, and type of irrigation system
  • The periods during the year that the water will be diverted if not year-round

Land description and proposed works

  • Legal description and tenure of the land, mine or undertaking where the water is to be used (legal description, PID, or description if the land is unsurveyed) or a description of the project or water use scheme (the appurtenancy)
  • Legal land description and land tenure for all lands on which you propose to construct works or flood (legal description, PID, or description if the land is unsurveyed)
  • The applicant's title to or interest in the appurtenancy and the name of the owner(s) of any land not owned by the applicant
  • Location (latitude and longitude or UTM coordinates) or the point(s) on the source where you propose to withdraw the water and, if applicable, any proposed or existing storage reservoir
  • A detailed description of the proposed works (e.g. diversion structures, pumps, pipelines, irrigation system, reservoir)
  • If the works includes one or more wells, details of the well(s) including well depth and well identification plate number or well tag number if available
  • If water is to be stored by a dam, details of the dam's height, length, crest width and maximum storage volume
  • Written consent from every person on the land title/land tenure where you propose to use the water (i.e., co-applicants), or to whom a licence may be issued, and written consent from each person in the application for disclosure of their personal information that is included in the application. A consent form with the appropriate details will be generated for you by the online application system. Consent can be given in writing by signing the form or electronically by e-mail

Documents

  • A map or drawing that meets the requirements outlined in the Water Licence Application Drawing Standards (PDF, 1525KB)
  • A copy of any well report for any well that forms part of the works subject to the application. Well reports may include well construction reports, flow test reports, well identification reports, reports on alternative specifications prepared by a professional or any other reports prepared in relation to the well
  • A copy of your lease, if you have privately leased the land where you want to use the water
  • A copy of any permit, tenure or other authorization to use Crown land relevant to the locations of the water diversion and use, or proof that an application for the appropriate Crown land authorization has been made
  • A copy of your Letter of Agency (PDF, 75KB) or other proof of authorization, if you are completing the application on behalf of the applicant
  • If you share or are connected to another person's works, it is recommended that a Joint Works Agreement (PDF, 375KB) outlining each party's role and responsibilities be completed
  • It is recommended that you provide a topographical map showing the general location of the property where the water is proposed to be used and the works constructed in relation to nearby communities, highways, railways and other water sources
  • It is recommended that you provide a copy of the registered survey plan for any parcel of land where the water is intended to be used, if you have one

A detailed list of information requirements can be found in the Water Sustainability Regulation.

Potential additional requirements

  • Crown land tenure authorizes the use of Crown land when a permit over Crown land is not sufficient and is required when any of the following apply:
    • The water use purpose is either 'Power Commercial' or 'Power General'
    • Any of the new works are considered major works (meaning for conveyance of 0.01 m3/s or more, for waterworks purpose or industrial purpose)
    • Your new works include a dam higher than 9 metres or storage greater than 1,000,000 m3, or
    • Your new works include a permanent access road, a power house or transmission lines
  • Permit over Crown land authorizes the flooding of Crown land or the construction, maintenance or operation of works on Crown land in a manner that does not require a Crown land tenure
  • Supplemental information that provide case-specific information required to make a decision on your application. This information supplements what you already submitted. Examples include geotechnical report, fish report, erosion control plans, etc. Government staff will ask you to provide this information when required

Register for BCeID to submit an application to FrontCounter BC

A BCeID allows you to save, reopen and check the status of your natural resource application: 

  • Basic BCeID can be used in a personal capacity
  • Business BCeID is used when representing a legal entity 
Register

Submit an application

Once you have assembled the required documents for your application, apply online.

Apply

Update your application

After you have submitted an application, you can amend or cancel it:

After you apply

Your application will go through the following process before any decision is made:

  1. Receiving the application
    When natural resource applications are submitted, it is expected that they meet the posted application requirements for that application type, both in quality and completeness, so that the proposal is ready to move towards a decision in a timely manner. The application requirements can be found under the applicable water application authorization guidance.

    Poor quality or incomplete applications can result in substantial delays and create significant workload impacts to ministry staff. In order to improve application turnaround times, applicants are required to provide missing information or respond to FrontCounter BC staff requests within 2 weeks.

    If applicants are not able to meet the requested timeframe, they should inform the requesting staff member as early as possible. Applications not meeting application requirements within the requested timeframes may be rejected. The applicant may be entitled to a partial refund of the application fee, however, in many circumstances, no refund will be provided. For further information, please refer to the Policy: Refunds for Applications (PDF, 105KB).

    If the application is returned or not accepted, applicants can expect a detailed explanation of application deficiencies. If an application is rejected due to deficiencies, applicants may re apply at their convenience.

  2. Consultation and referrals
    Applications may be referred to other provincial and federal regulatory agencies for comment during the adjudication process. Consultation with First Nations, other water users, community groups or other parties may be required if existing rights could be affected by your application.

  3. Review
    Once FrontCounter BC has received all comments and objections from potentially affected parties, and any additional information provided by you or affected parties, applications undergo a technical review. During the technical review process, you may be asked to provide additional information or required to undertake further study to support your application. On the basis of this review, a recommendation will be made for the consideration of a statutory decision maker, normally a water manager, who is authorized under legislation to grant a use approval.

  4. Decision
    A water manager from the Province of British Columbia will weigh the information, decide whether to approve your application, and inform you of the decision.

Application enquiries

Read more about application processing and how to check the status of your application.

Contact information

Find the FrontCounter BC office closest to you.

FrontCounter BC Toll Free
1-877-855-3222
Email
FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca

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