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ARTICLE · 18 JANUARY 2022

March 1 Licence Application Deadline For BC Non-domestic Groundwater Users

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Individuals and businesses in British Columbia that use groundwater for non-domestic purposes must apply for a water licence by March 1, 2022

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Wally Braul
Wally Braul
Maya Stano
Maya Stano
Mark Youden
Mark Youden
Emma Hobbs
Emma Hobbs
Lauren Mar (Articling Student)
Lauren Mar (Articling Student)
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Individuals and businesses in British Columbia that use groundwater for non-domestic purposes must apply for a water licence by March 1, 2022. A failure to do so may lead to the loss of water rights (and/or priority of those rights), requirements to pay application fees, and potential offences and penalties.

What licensing is required?

The Water Sustainability Act requires all groundwater users in British Columbia to obtain a water licence if they divert and use groundwater for non-domestic purposes - this includes irrigation, commercial use, and industrial use.1 Note, however, that water licences are not required for household wells or other uses of groundwater for domestic purposes, like drinking water or watering small gardens.2

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