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Water Act ([RSBC 1996] Chapter 483).

Country/Territory
Canada
Territorial subdivision
British Columbia
Document type
Legislation
Date
1939 (2016)
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Water
Keyword
Basic legislation Freshwater resources management Institution Water charges Authorization/permit Surface water Waterworks Industrial water use Irrigation Water abstraction Sustainable development Sustainable use Groundwater Water users' associations
Geographical area
Americas, Arctic, Asia and the Pacific, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic
Abstract

This Act is designed to create a legal framework for the use and diversion of stream waters. Such waters, and the right to their use and flow are, subject to licences issued under this Act, vested in the Government (sect. 2). The Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGC) may determine the application of this Act to groundwaters as well (sect. 3). Applications for licences may be made by various persons, including owners of lands or mines, municipalities, improvement districts, water users' communities or development districts and regional water authorities (all defined in section 1) (sect. 7). Licences may be obtained for the diversion and beneficial use of water; water storage; construction, maintenance and operation of water works; alteration or improvement of streams or channels for any purpose; construction of necessary works for the purpose of conserving fish or wildlife (sect. 5). If the use/diversion is for less than 12 months, written approval from the comptroller or a regional water manager is sufficient (sect. 8). The remainder of the Act sets out procedures for applications and management of the licence regime, rights and responsibilities of licence holders, subjecting the exercise of such rights to the Act and its regulations. The LGC may make regulations in respect of dividing territory into water districts, permits over Crown lands, expropriation, use of streams for floating timber, among others (sect. 46). Section 52 allows for the establishment of "water users' communities" as public corporate bodies composed of 6 or more licencees.

Full text
English
Website
www.qp.gov.bc.ca

References - Legislation

Implemented by

Ground Water Protection Regulation (B.C. Reg. 299/2004).

Legislation | Canada | 2004 (2009)

Keyword: Freshwater pollution, Freshwater resources management, Groundwater, Registration, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Regulation (B.C. Reg. 204/88).

Legislation | Canada | 1988 (2013)

Keyword: Water rights, Water charges, Water abstraction, Water conservation zone, Water quality standards, Water supply, Waterworks, Expropriation, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

British Columbia Dam Safety Regulation (B.C. Reg. 44/2000).

Legislation | Canada | 2000 (2011)

Keyword: Waterworks, Inspection, Data collection/reporting, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Sensitive Streams Designation and Licensing Regulation (B.C. Reg. 89/2000).

Legislation | Canada | 2000

Keyword: Fishery management and conservation, Standards, Fishing authorization, Authorization/permit, Freshwater resources management, Pollution control, Water rights, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX