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