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Water quality

Last updated on August 13, 2025

Water is one of B.C.’s most important resources that must be stewarded appropriately.

B.C. monitors fresh and marine water, undertakes assessments and gathers data to help protect water quality for human and ecosystem health.  

This page has information about several ways water quality is considered in work across government.

On this page

Algae bloom alerts

The B.C. government is aware of the ongoing algae bloom on Nicola Lake that started at the end of June and many of the other blooms thanks to people contacting the AlgaeWatch webpage. Government agencies are working together on the Nicola Lake algae bloom.

Many lakes, including Nicola Lake, have algae blooms each year. Algae is a natural part of a lake's ecosystem and will bloom when the conditions are optimal. In recent years, some blooms have become longer lasting and more intense due to changing climate conditions and increases in nutrients. 

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) is a type of algae that can produce toxins. Those toxins can be released into the lake when the algae begin to die. So, if you think there is an algae bloom on your lake, remember “If in doubt, stay out”. This goes for your pets and livestock too.

If you would like more information on beach advisories related to algae, contact your local beach owner or operator. 

For more information on cyanobacteria, visit:

For more information on potential impacts from cyanobacteria to humans, visit:

Water quality for drinking and recreation

Drinking water and groundwater sources

Clean and safe water for drinking is essential to maintain our health and well-being:

People in B.C. get their source drinking water from groundwater wells, rivers and lakes:

Recreational water quality

Recreational water provides opportunities for exercise, play and relaxation:

Water quality guidelines are benchmarks for water quality parameters to protect water used for recreation:

Scientific guidelines and protected areas

Scientific guidelines, designations, policies and protected areas keep water safe. 

The following guidelines and information are considered by those who make decisions about regulated activities taking place on the land that might affect water quality.

Water quality guidelines

Water quality guidelines are benchmarks for fresh and marine water quality that are used to assess and manage the health and sustainability of B.C.’s aquatic resources. They may be put in place to protect:

  • Aquatic life
  • Wildlife
  • Agriculture
  • Drinking water sources
  • Recreation activities

For additional information:

Water quality objectives 

Water quality objectives are numbers or statements that reflect low-risk conditions to protect a specific waterbody. 

Community watershed designations

Community watershed designations apply to the area in and around our drinking water sources by requiring special management practices to lessen the impacts of forest, range and oil and gas activities on these sources. 

 Water quality monitoring

Bio monitoring evaluates river health across B.C. through the collection of benthic macroinvertebrates (small aquatic organisms), along with measuring river characteristics.

Monitoring occurs across B.C. as part of a federal and provincial program, primarily in rivers and streams, to understand current conditions and to track changes over time.

Lake water quality monitoring looks at long-term trends and current conditions and compares them to conditions in other regional lakes, as well as lakes across the province.

Volunteers also collect water quality data on nearby lakes under the B.C. Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program.

Help us keep water safe

Report incidents and concerns

Spills

To report an accidental spill or the risk of a spill:

Pollution

To report pollution:

Wildfire

HealthLink BC has updated information on water quality after a wildfire.

Algae

B.C. Algae Watch:

  • Learn how to recognize and identify algae blooms in B.C. lakes.  Any questions or concerns about algae and safe use of water should be referred to your local health authority

Regional data

Share data from your area:

  • Collect data in your area and help steward water quality 

     

Find water quality information for your area

B.C. collects and analyzes a variety of data, reports and tools about water quality in the province.

Water quality data

Maps

Explore an interactive map showing surface water quality monitoring sites:

Explore an interactive map showing groundwater wells and their water levels:

Tools

  • Water data and tools
    • Learn more about scientific data and tools that help with planning and protecting water resources
  • Water quality indicators
    • Directly access water quality data from rivers, streams, lakes and aquifers

Reports and documents