Groundwater Licensing Deadline—March 1st, 2019
The deadline for an existing user of groundwater to apply for a licence is fast-approaching (March 1st, 2019)!
Who needs a license?
All well-owners or operators using groundwater for non-domestic purposes, before Feb 29th, 2016 have less than three months to apply for a licence. For example, this includes waterworks providers, commercial enterprises using private wells, and agricultural operations (including hobby farms irrigating more than a quarter of an acre). Land owners using groundwater for only their private home do not need to apply for a license but are encouraged to register their well (no fees charged) if it is not in the provincial database already.
Why apply now?
Existing groundwater users can continue to use the water from their well as long as they apply for a licence before March 1st 2019. During this transition period, it does not cost anything to apply (the one-time processing fee has been waived). One of the primary benefits for existing groundwater users to submit an application within the transition periods is maintaining the date of precedence, which becomes important during times of scarcity. Additionally, the tests used in the review of a transition licence require a lower threshold and scrutiny as compared to a new application. For example, environmental flow needs is not a mandatory consideration and it is rare that a decision maker would require a pumping test for existing groundwater licence applications. If you sell your property or business the license remains with the property.
Do you need more information or have questions?
Information: www.gov.bc.ca/water
Apply for a water licence at: FrontCounterBC
www.frontcounterbc.ca
FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca
1-877-855-3222