The BC government is exploring a new streamlined review process so that licence applications for small amounts of water get decisions faster. It would likely apply only to applications on streams and aquifers with enough water, where the withdrawal isn’t expected to affect other authorized users, land, or other property, and where there are no other significant environmental or cultural concerns. No volume limit has been set: the Province asked the public what quantity of water it would consider small.
Who it affects: Anyone applying for a licence to use a small amount of water from a well or a stream.
What hasn’t changed: This proposal is about how quickly applications are decided. It exempts no one from licensing, and it is separate from the proposed exemption for use under 2 m³ a day.
Source: Engagement opportunity: Low volume water use streamlined authorization process · checked October 2, 2026
Updates: December 12, 2025: The survey on this proposal closed.
March 18, 2026: The Province published a What We Heard report on the engagement. It has not announced a decision on this proposal (Blog Post #46).
