Approved Water Quality Guidelines

Water quality guidelines are used to:

• protect water values, including: aquatic life, wildlife, drinking water sources, agriculture (livestock watering and irrigation); and recreation
• inform water quality assessments
• support resource management decisions
• provide the basis for water quality objectives
• report on the state of water quality
• promote water stewardship

Guideline tools

Search for B.C. water quality guidelines by value/designated use and parameter.

• Guideline look-up table

View and download all B.C. approved and working water quality guidelines as a .csv file from the B.C. Data Catalogue.

• Guideline .csv download

View the most recent updates to B.C. water quality guidelines.

• Guideline update table (PDF)

Guideline summary reports

• View the Summary of Water Quality Guidelines: Aquatic Life, Wildlife & Agriculture (PDF)
• View the Summary of Water Quality Guidelines: Drinking Water Sources (PDF)
• View the Summary of Water Quality Guidelines: Recreation (PDF)

Guideline supplemental information

• View the water quality guidelines fact sheet
• View the water quality guidelines policy