The Water Sustainability Act

and Groundwater Licensing

Metro Vancouver Agricultural Water ForumNovember 3, 2016

2

Representatives Here Today

• Ross Kreye, Section Head Groundwater Authorizations

• Milen Kootnikoff, Natural Resource Specialist, FCBC

• Remko Rosenboom, Manager, Water Authorizations

3

Outline

• Water Sustainability Act

• Licensing wells

• Groundwater Protection Regulation

• Aquifers

• Applying for a Licence

• February 29, 2016

• Ensure water now and in

the future

• Managing groundwater

and surface water as one

resource

• Environmental Flow Needs

• Groundwater licensing

Water Sustainability Act (WSA)

1971

1912

2003

1969

Licensing Groundwater Wells

• Non-domestic – irrigation, industrial,

waterworks, etc.

• Domestic use exempt

• Must be taken into account in decisions

• First In Time First In Right model

• Recognize hydraulic connection between

surface water and groundwater

• Establishes Rights

• Enables Management

• Existing users will have 3 years to apply to retain their precedence date (March 1, 2019)

• Application fee waived in year 1

• Applicant can continue to divert and use water until a decision has been made on the application

• Date of precedence based on date of first use

• Water rental fees begin the date the WSA came into affect (February 29, 2016)

• If an existing user fails to apply within the 3-year period, the use is not authorized

Transitioning Groundwater Users

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Priority date for transitioning groundwater use based on historic date of first use of water

Date from which the decision maker is satisfied that groundwater has been

used from an aquifer

• Regularly and beneficially on an

ongoing basis

• For a water use purpose

• On the appurtenant land, mine

or undertaking

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• Use beginning after Feb. 29,

2016

• Date of precedence =

application completion date

• Application fees payable

• Rentals begin when

authorization granted

• Qualified Professional required

to drill new wells

New groundwater use must be authorized before diversion and use begins

� Secure cap

� Identification plate*

� Minimum stickup ≥ 0.3 m*

� Ground around well graded to prevent ponding of water around the well head*

� Surface seal is intact*

� Must keep a 3m radius around wellhead clear of “foreign matter”

*Good practice and legal requirement for “new” wells constructed on or after Nov. 1, 2005

GWPR prescribes minimum well construction requirements for sanitation and aquifer protection (Parts 3 and 4)

• Example of wells with unfilled annular spaces –retrofitting of surface seal is recommended.

XXPicture: S. Kenny

Picture: P. Epp

Surface Sealing

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Aquifers in the Fraser Valley

What is an Aquifer

• A geologic formation

• A group of geological formations

• A part of one or more geological formations

That is groundwater bearing and capable of storing, transmitting

and yielding groundwater

• Drawdown around a pumping well can be significant

• Area of drawdown can also extend up-gradient

• Depth and extent of drawdown depend on geology & pumping rate

Decision-maker considers how pumping may impact nearby wells, ecosystems and existing rights

Annual Irrigation Water Demand: 10220 m3/year

Water Rent Estimator

Water Rent Estimator

Water Rent Calculator

Agriculture Water Calculator

Example User Volume

(1000m3

/year)

Annual water

rental ($)

ApplicationFee ($)

50 acres of blueberries drip irrigation

92 78 250

100 head of dairy cattle 5 50 250

Water bottler

200 450 5000

Municipal water supply

23,000 52,000 10,000

Fees and Rentals

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Licensing Your Groundwater Well

FrontCounterBC.gov.bc.ca

3: What You Need to Apply

� Legal Land Description where water is used

� Land Title

� Leases, Joint works

� Maps

� General location

� Site including works

� Date of First Use evidence

� Water Use Purpose(s) and Volumes Required

� Irrigated area, crop, type (sprinkler, drip, etc)

� Agriculture water calculator

� Well and works information

� Well ID and report if available, depth, type (dug, drilled), technical

information if available (pumping test)

� Pump, reservoir, main pipes

� Government approvals or permits (e.g., EA certificate)

� Well construction report

� Pumping or water quality test records

� Invoice for pump installation or other work

� Signed statements from knowledgeable persons

� Other relevant evidence

� History of use (purposes, amounts)

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History & evidence of date of first use

7: Tips and Instructions for a Successful Application

2: Step by Step Instructions for the Online Application

� Guide: Entering an Application for an Existing Groundwater Licence

Before You Start Your Application

� Take time to review all the supporting information on the FCBC website

� Get a BCeID

� Allows you to save application and return to it

� Organize your information

� Allow time to complete

� Call FCBC contact numbers if you have questions

� 1-877-855-3222

More Informationwww.gov.bc.ca/water

Applications: FrontCounter BC

www.frontcounterbc.caPhone: 1-877-855-3222

FrontCounterBC.Surrey@gov.bc.ca