March 1, 2022, was the last day for existing groundwater users in British Columbia, those using groundwater for non-domestic purposes on or before February 29, 2016, to apply for a licence under the transition rules. Those who applied in time may keep using the water until their application is decided, and their application fees are waived.
If a licence is issued, its date of precedence is based on when they began using the groundwater, as shown by the evidence in their application. Anyone applying after the deadline is treated as a new applicant: they pay application fees, get a junior priority date based on the date they apply, and can’t lawfully use the water until a licence is issued. For existing users, annual water rentals accrue from February 29, 2016.
Who it affects: Farms, businesses, and other non-domestic groundwater users whose use began on or before February 29, 2016.
What hasn’t changed: Domestic groundwater use, as the Water Sustainability Act defines it, doesn’t need a licence.
Source: Requirements for groundwater users; Water Sustainability Act, section 140; Water Sustainability Regulation, section 55 · checked October 2, 2026
Updates: None yet.
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