Frequently Asked Questions

It is the Province of British Columbia’s vision and commitment to ensuring that our water stays healthy and secure. Living Water Smart is a comprehensive plan for sustainable management of all freshwater (surface and groundwater), protection of aquatic ecosystems and encouraging water smart behaviour and community development practices. The plan commits to new actions and targets and builds on existing work underway in the province to protect and keep our water safe.

Our climate is changing while our population and our economy continue to grow, increasing the demands and pressures on our water resources. We need to adapt to these changes; business as usual will mean losing what we have. The plan uses a variety of measures, including planning, regulatory change, education and incentives to ensure the province’s water resources are protected and sustainable.

The Ministry of Environment led the development of Living Water Smart while collaborating accross government. Eleven government ministries are helping to implement the plan. These include Healthy Living and Sport, Community Development, Agriculture and Lands, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Forests and Range, Housing and Social Development, Finance, Environment and Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (other ministries are supporting including Education, Transportation, Public Safety and Solicitor General). First Nations, Industry groups, local and federal government, non-governmental organizations and communities all have important roles to play in achieving water stewardship.

Water Stewardship means that British Columbians care for, and are responsible for, the sustainability of water and aquatic ecosystems, now and for the future. Water stewardship places a priority on partnerships, capacity building and a greater role for others to help protect B.C.’s water.

Water is a critical resource to First Nations communities, their health, well-being, and their culture. Consistent with the New Relationship, First Nations’ early and ongoing involvement will be part of achieving the plan’s actions and targets. Government will work to:

• Ensure First Nations’ drinking water quality meets provincial drinking water standards;
• Protect future water requirements through treaty negotiations and other related agreements;
• Preserve First Nations’ social and cultural practices associated with water; and
• Develop tools that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into information and decision making.

B.C. has a substantial, but finite water resource that is generally of a high quality. However, water is not always available where and when it is needed to support human, industrial and ecosystem needs. A major portion of B.C.’s renewable water supply flows north, away from the more densely populated southern portions of the province.

Many areas of the province already experience the effects of seasonal limitations and climate change on their water supplies.

Experts predict climate changes in B.C. will include warmer and wetter winters, earlier snowmelts, and longer, drier summers. A longer growing season for agriculture will mean longer periods requiring irrigation and outdoor watering, often when water supplies are lowest. The frequency of extreme events, such as floods and drought are also expected to increase.

Living Water Smart will help the province adapt to climate change. Key actions in the plan that will help us to adapt include becoming water efficient in B.C., modernizing our water laws, planning with water in mind and getting smarter with science.

Everyone can get involved in the protection of water just by living water smart. The easy actions to do and get involved in your area pages explain how you can help protect B.C.’s water. We all have a responsibility to value our watersheds and to help care for them.

Living Water Smart commits to all B.C students completing a stream health assessment by 2012. Our plan is for students to complete these assessments with ecologists and other stream health experts as part of the students’ school-based education. Once the program is up and running in 2009/2010, teachers will be trained in stream health assessments and regional trainers will assist them on field trips. In the meantime, if you're a teacher or a parent, and you want to learn more about environmental education and stream health, please see www.streamofdreams.org and www.projectwet.org.

The provincial government is committed to ensuring safe, reliable and accessible drinking water for all British Columbians. To that end, the government developed its Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia and the Drinking Water Protection Act to safeguard the quality of drinking water from its source through treatment and distribution to consumers’ taps. Living Water Smart focuses on improving the protection of our drinking water sources.

The plan will help the environment by putting the needs of nature first when allocating water, community planning and adapting to climate change. Increasing water efficiency will mean we can manage our demands for water better and take less from the environment and, where stream health is threatened, restore the flows needed and protect ecosystems.

All British Columbians are encouraged to be water efficient. If you are using the water within the terms of your licence, it is unlikely that your licence will be changed. However, in cases of water scarcity or where stream health is threatened you may be asked to cut back your use. In future, large users (not domestic) will also be required to measure and report their water use. The biggest changes to water management will happen in areas under water stress – for example the Okanagan and Gulf Islands.

No. The plan will not require homeowners to install a water meter. The government will require large users to measure and report their actual use; homeowners will not be affected.

The provincial government will define “large” users and their measuring requirements, but will exclude single home use or domestic water licences. Requirements may vary, depending on the location of the user, how much water is available, and the impact that using the water may have on the environment. Requirements will be introduced through the Water Act Modernization project after consultation with water users.

The plan’s targets are aggressive, but achievable. Many actions require a collective effort by all British Columbians. Government is interested in helping all sectors achieve the targets in Living Water Smart.

The Ministry of Environment led the development of Living Water Smart in collaboration with other nine other ministries, including Health, Community Services, Agriculture and Lands, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Forests and Range, and Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (others include Transportation, Tourism, Sports and the Arts, Public Safety and Solicitor General).

Living Water Smart was developed by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with nine other Ministries and informed by our day to day relations with our stakeholders. The plan provides a framework for how government will work to improve water stewardship in B.C. Public and stakeholders will be consulted during the development of many individual actions, such as modernizing our water laws and achieving conservation targets. We have already engaged a variety of stakeholders in discussions on the Groundwater Protection Regulation and enhancing Water Governance in B.C.

No. The water resource of British Columbia is owned by the province. Rights for the diversion and use of surface water may be acquired through licences under the Water Act. British Columbia’s Water Protection Act clearly prohibits the bulk export of water from the province, ensuring that our water resources remain secure and sustainable for the benefit of all our citizens.

The plan recognizes the importance of water to the agriculture sector, which is a significant water consumer. Government will take steps to secure access to water for agricultural use – particularly within the Agricultural Land Reserve. Government will also require more efficient water use for this sector, and will require new measures such as requiring large users to monitor and report their water use.

Under the Water Act, water reserves may be established for various purposes, including setting aside water for future needs. Water reserves apply to all or part of the water available from a stream (water that has not been allocated for use under a water licence). Therefore, an agricultural water reserve would protect a volume of water from a stream specifically for agricultural use. Water licences could then be acquired from the reserved volume for such purposes as irrigation or stock watering.

Protecting our water resources and aquatic ecosystems not only benefits the environment, but also the communities and industries that depend on a secure water supply. The plan will ensure that all land and water managers will know what makes a stream healthy and be able to help land and water users apply new approaches to securing stream health so it continues to provide the full range of economic benefits of our natural resources for future generations.

IPPs are an important contributor to the energy self-sufficiency targets set out in the British Columbia Energy Plan. Living Water Smart will ensure the review and approval processes for independent power projects fully consider stream health and that the water flow for fish, wildlife and ecosystem needs are protected.

New thinking about development leads to new benefits. Already we have seen innovative community developments that are energy and water efficient and protect or enhance their surrounding environment. To encourage more of this type of development, green developments waiting for provincial environmental approvals will be fast tracked and given priority. Building in flood plains should be avoided where possible due to increasing flood risks, but where it is unavoidable, government will require the development to be flood-proofed to high provincial standards.

The Green Building Code will require water conservation plumbing fixtures in all new and renovation construction. Government will take steps to mandate, by 2010 the inclusion of purple pipes for water collection and re-use in new construction.

The effect of the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic on water in the province is significant and we are still learning about it. A preliminary study by the Forest Practices Board found that impacts could include increased frequency and magnitude of flooding, as well as lower summer flows. Through the Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan the provincial government will continue to develop information and knowledge on the beetle’s impacts. Living Water Smart commits to developing a water science strategy that complements and supports a better understanding of the effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle.

In 1995 British Columbia brought in one of the strongest pieces of legislation in Canada that prohibits the bulk export of water. We will maintain the ban on bulk water export to ensure our water resources are secure.

This regulation is part of Living Water Smart and will be used to help achieve the plan’s vision. However, the plan is broader than regulation; it draws on a variety of other policy measures, including planning, education and incentives. Actions within the plan related to green developments, reducing water consumption and protecting and rehabilitating stream and wetlands are intended to promote changing behaviours and encouraging all British Columbians to become stewards of our water resources.

A number of incentives will be used to encourage conservation and efficiency improvements as well as protect streams and wetlands, including:

• conservation measures will be a condition for receiving infrastructure funding;
• priority given to green developments waiting for provincial environmental approval;
• Labelling of water-efficient appliances;
• Funding for household water evaluations;
• Award a water-science prize and scholarship for excellence in stewardship;
• Summer jobs for youth between 16 and 22 to undertake stream restoration projects.

Specific details of these incentives will be worked out over the coming months as we move to their implementation.

British Columbia has many leading water programs in place, including our dam safety program, water use planning, the innovative research of academic institutions on oceans and coastal ecosystems, and strong water export and drinking water protection legislation. Living Water Smart builds on these successes and continues to move us towards outstanding water stewardship. We have learned from other jurisdictions (such as Alberta, Ontario, England, Australia and New Zealand) and adapted our plan to address B.C.’s current and emerging water challenges.

We can use today’s water licence information and water use data as a baseline. Then we implement other actions in Living Water Smart such as metering (which alone can result in major efficiency gains), education and stronger monitoring of licences under the Water Act. The plan outlines many tools to reduce demand and increase efficiency such as basing licences on actual crop and soil water requirements, reducing municipal demand, water-efficiency labelling and water-efficiency measures in the building code.

There are so many things individuals, industries, farms and businesses can do to help achieve the goals in the plan. We can all take steps to reduce personal water use and reduce the amount of pollutants in streams and the ocean. One of the first things you can do is a Water Smart Home Assessment. Whether you are a homeowner or a tenant, live in a house or an apartment, it-s easy. You don-t even need a water meter.

Water Act Modernization (WAM) is a legislative project that will review and consider amendments to the Water Act and other provincial water-related laws.

The Water Act is the heart of the Province’s water governance framework and is the primary law for managing the diversion and use of provincial water resources. Established in 1909, B.C.’s Water Act is the primary piece of water management legislation and has a key role in the sustainability of British Columbia’s water resources.

The Water Act recently turned 100 years old. The governance and management model that has evolved over time needs to change to reflect changing climate, economic drivers, and demographics. In addition, Living Water Smart: B.C.’s Water Plan also commits to a review of the Province’s water laws.

Living Water Smart commits to 45 actions and targets – approximately one-third either require legislative change or would be strengthened with changes to water laws. Key commitments in the plan include:

• By 2012, water laws will improve the protection of ecological values, provide for more community involvement, and provide incentives to be water efficient;
• Legislation will recognize water flow requirements for ecosystems and species; and,
• By 2012 new approaches to water management will address the impacts from a changing water cycle, increased drought risk and other impacts on water caused by climate change.

The Water Act Modernization project will consider a comprehensive review of our water laws to improve the protection of ecological values and stream health, recognize water flow requirements for ecosystems and species, provide for more community involvement and participation in decision making, improve the flexibility and efficiency of water use to adapt to climate change, and regulate the use of groundwater in priority areas.

Keeping British Columbia’s water resources healthy and secure is important to everyone. The review will seek input from the public and a range of stakeholders including: water licensees, federal and municipal governments, industry sectors (energy, mining, oil and gas, forestry, agriculture, fishing, tourism, real estate), professional associations and unions, environmental NGOs, recreation groups, riparian landowners and academic institutions. See public Q&As for more information about the consultation process.

Engaging with stakeholders, First Nations and the public is an essential part of the process to review our water laws. A range of methods will be used throughout the process including:

• Online tools including a moderated blog and website to provide regular updates on the policy development process and enable open discussion and comment.
• A discussion paper and submission process to focus dialogue on outcomes and policy options.
• E-mail notices to registered stakeholders – stakeholders will be invited to register for e-mail notices regarding the WAM process. To register e-mail us at [email protected].
• Face-to-face meetings with stakeholders and First Nations to explore potential opportunities and implications of policy options with stakeholders from a range of sectors.
• Provincial cross-government advisory team will be used throughout the process to ensure the review is coordinated and integrated across government.
• Participation at existing stakeholder events to provide information for newsletters and websites, present at events where appropriate.

First Nations have a strong spiritual connection with water and water is an important economic resource. Regional workshops for First Nations are planned to ensure that a diversity of views and First Nations interests are represented and inform policy development.

Water Act modernization will explore the best options to ensure water allocation decisions recognize water flows required to sustain fish and aquatic ecosystems, and maintain proper ecological function.