A crucial deadline for select groundwater users is less than 30 days away. March 1, 2022, at midnight (Pacific time), is the deadline to apply for a water licence for “existing groundwater users”.
“Existing groundwater users” are those who are using groundwater from a well or dugout on or before Feb. 29, 2016, for non-domestic purposes, such as irrigation, commercial or industrial use.
A water licence is not required for a household well or groundwater used for domestic purposes, such as watering small lawns and gardens. However, if groundwater is being used for non-domestic purposes and an application has not been made, it is advisable to act now to secure the water rights.
There may be serious consequences for water use if the March 1, 2022, deadline is missed. Existing groundwater users who have not applied by the deadline will be unauthorized and must stop using water immediately.
Those who miss the deadline will be treated as a “new user.” Their date of first use will no longer be recognized and the licence may be refused in water-stressed areas. The historical date is crucial because older licences have priority access to water during shortages.
Missing the deadline could be costly and may include fines for unlicensed use of groundwater. Water licence applications made after the deadline will not benefit from the waived application fee and may require costly studies to support an application, the government said. The online application and one-on-one assistance for submitting an application is available through FrontCounter BC.
Contact FrontCounter BC by phone (toll-free) 1-877-855-3222 or email: FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca
