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# BC Exempts Low- and Mid-Volume Construction Dewatering From Groundwater Licensing
- URL: https://bcgroundwaterwire.ca/changelog/construction-dewatering-exemption/
- Published: 2026-02-27T19:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T02:50:49.000Z
- Description: In BC, construction dewatering of up to 1,000 m³ a day no longer requires a Water Sustainability Act authorization when the set conditions are met.
- Author: Colleen Roberts
- Tags: In Force, Changelog, Licensing, Province-wide, #who-business, #who-trades

In British Columbia, construction dewatering no longer requires a Water Sustainability Act authorization when it meets the conditions in sections 32.1 or 32.2 of the Water Sustainability Regulation.  
  
Low-volume work may divert up to 300 m³ of groundwater a day from an aquifer. Mid-volume work, up to 1,000 m³ a day, must be designed and performed, or directly supervised, by a registered professional competent in hydrogeology or geotechnical engineering. Each limit is the total from all of a project’s points of diversion on one aquifer.

Either way, the work can last no more than 24 months, the water can’t be put to use before it is discharged, other lawful users’ water supply and works can’t be adversely affected, and there can be no significant risk of harm to public safety, the environment, land, or other property.   
  
For mid-volume work, the professional prepares a record, which the operator keeps for at least three years after the dewatering ends. If that professional isn’t competent to assess the risk of harm to the environment, a registered professional competent in applied biology must assess it, and the assessment goes in the record. Going over the daily limit, or past 24 months, must be reported to the closest FrontCounter BC regional office within 72 hours.

**Who it affects:** Construction projects that pump groundwater to keep a site dry, and the professionals who design and supervise that work.

**What hasn’t changed:** Work outside these conditions still needs an authorization. BC Groundwater Protection Regulation requirements, such as a well ID plate or a well report, may still apply to a well used for dewatering. Other approvals may be needed too, such as a waste discharge authorization or a local storm water permit.

**Source:** [Water Sustainability Regulation, sections 32.1 to 32.3](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/36%5F2016?ref=bcgroundwaterwire.ca); [Construction Dewatering Exemption under the BC Water Sustainability Regulation (Water Policy Bulletin, PDF)](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/working-around-water/construction%5Fdewatering%5Fpolicy%5Fbulletin.pdf?ref=bcgroundwaterwire.ca) · checked October 8, 2026

**Updates:** None yet.