News and Events

Temporary water use restrictions on the Coldwater River and its tributaries have been rescinded effective noon, Sept. 18, 2015.
  » Information bulletin: Water use reduction order rescinded for Coldwater

The Government of B.C. is re-opening angling for streams and rivers in the Okanagan Region due to lower water temperatures and increased flows.
  » Information bulletin: Angling re-opened in the Okanagan Region

Temporary water use restrictions on the Coldwater River and its tributaries have been reinstated effective noon, Sept. 2, 2015, through an order issued by Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.
  » Information bulletin: Water use reduction order reinstated for Coldwater

The Government of B.C. is re-opening angling in the classified waters section of the Horsefly River, effective today, due to cooling water temperatures.
  » Information bulletin: Horsefly River re-opened for angling

The Government of B.C. is suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout most of the South Coast due to warming water temperatures and low stream flows.
  » News release: Fishing closures announced for South Coast

Responding to dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 4 drought rating for the South Coast and Lower Fraser areas due to ongoing low stream flows.
  » Information bulletin: South Coast/Lower Fraser drought level increased

Responding to dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the South Thompson, Nicola, Similkameen, Okanagan-Kettle and Skagit regions, and taken the additional action of suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout the South Okanagan due to ongoing low stream flows and warming water temperatures.
  » News release: Fishing closures announced for Horsefly River
  » Information bulletin: Fishing closures part of comprehensive drought response

Responding to dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has issued a Level 4 drought rating for Vancouver Island, and taken the additional action of suspending angling in streams and rivers throughout southern Vancouver Island due to ongoing low stream flows and warming water temperatures.
  » News release: Fishing closures part of comprehensive drought response (July 3, 2023)
  » Island Health Information on how water suppliers can prepare for drought
  » Map of the areas covered by the stream and river angling closures
     (July 3, 2023)

Education of water system operators is an essential component of BC’s source-to-tap approach to protecting drinking water and public health. The BC Ministry of Environment is providing grants to operators of small water systems to enroll in a source water protection course and/or small water systems course offered through the BC Waste & Water Association (BCWWA).

More information about course dates and grant eligibility can be found in BCWWA’s 2013 information bulletin or at bcwwa.org.

British Columbians are invited to nominate a community, group or organization for the first annual Excellence in Water Stewardship Award. Sponsored by the Council of the Federation, the Excellence in Water Stewardship Awards recognize outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in water stewardship in Canada. For more information, download a BC Nomination Package (PDF / RTF). Nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2024.

The updated draft BC Water Quality Guidelines for selenium are now open for external review.

The review period for written feedback has been extended from November 16, 2023 to January 31, 2024. Note that all comments submitted will be posted to the Ministry’s web site at the completion of the review period.

Please send your review comments on the Excel spreadsheet provided, accompanied by your name and affiliation (if any) prior to the End of the Review Period: January 31, 2024.

Your comments should be directed to:
  » Geneen Russo, regarding the drinking water and human health guidelines, or
  » Julia Beatty, regarding the aquatic life and wildlife guidelines.

The updated draft BC Water Quality Guideline for sulphate is posted to our website (see below) and is now open for a second external review.

  » http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/homesubs/drafts.html

Please send your review comments, accompanied by your name and affiliation (if any) to Cindy Meays prior to the end of the review period: Nov. 12, 2012.

We ask for written review feedback by Nov. 12, 2012. The review period may be extended if notice is received prior to the end of the review period. Please send all requests to extend your review period to Cindy Meays.

Visit the Living Water Smart Blog to read Minister Lake’s message and to share your ideas
by posting a comment.

“Discover Your Water Footprint” is the theme of this year’s Canada Water Week, which runs this week, March 19-25.

First Nations have unique interests in and traditional knowledge of water in British Columbia. The provincial government is planning to modernize the Water Act, a key commitment in Living Water Smart: British Columbia’s Water Plan. The Water Act Modernization Discussion Paper is helping to stimulate discussion and encourage participation in the future of our water at the regional multi-sector workshops being held throughout the province.

In addition to the multi-sector workshops, the Province will also be conducting three additional workshops specifically for First Nations at the following locations:

• March 31 in Kamloops
• April 1 in Nanaimo
• April 14 in Terrace

The purpose of the one-day workshops is to share information, discuss principles for a new Water Act and explore proposals for change that reflect First Nations values for water. To register, e-mail [email protected] or call 250 387-9481 with the workshop you would like to attend and your full contact information.

The Water Act modernization discussion paper is now available for your review and comment. The paper outlines opportunities for using, sustaining and managing water resources in a changing environment and has been developed to encourage dialogue on ways to modernize the Water Act. It proposes principles to underpin a modernized Water Act and presents goals, objectives and describes possible solutions.

Canadian Premiers have agreed to implement a Water Efficiency Labelling program across Canada and to establish a Council of the Federation Water Stewardship Council that will focus on water efficiency and conservation. Water efficient labels on water-using appliances and fixtures will help Canadian consumers make informed, environmentally friendly choices about products such as clothes washers, toilets and showerheads. This will ultimately reduce our Nation’s water consumption.

Both of these initiatives are part of Living Water Smart and B.C.’s leadership and work has been instrumental for this progress.