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# BC Explores Licence Exemption for Small Non-Domestic Groundwater Use
- URL: https://bcgroundwaterwire.ca/changelog/small-groundwater-use-licence-exemption/
- Published: 2025-09-22T19:02:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T02:44:56.000Z
- Description: The BC government is exploring whether non-domestic groundwater use under 2 m³ a day per property could go without a licence where water is available.
- Author: Colleen Roberts
- Tags: Proposed, Changelog, Licensing, Province-wide, #who-farm, #who-business

The BC government is exploring whether, when, or where to allow non-domestic groundwater use under 2 m³ a day (2,000 litres) without a water licence or use approval. The limit would cover all non-domestic uses on one property combined, on top of any domestic use, and it would apply only in aquifers where water is available.  
  
An exempt user would have no water right: if an aquifer became fully assigned, they might have to stop, so some may still choose to apply for a licence. Engineers or water managers could also be given the power to require a licence where a small use could have negative impacts on others. No final rules have been set.

**Who it affects:** Small users such as home-based businesses, small commercial operations, camps, public facilities, and small livestock operations.

**What hasn’t changed:** This document is a proposal, not law. Non-domestic groundwater use still needs a licence or other authorization unless an existing exemption applies. The proposal doesn’t change domestic use, which needs no licence.

**Source:** [Engagement opportunity: Low volume water use without an authorization](https://engage.gov.bc.ca/watersustainabilityact/2025/09/22/engagement-opportunity-low-volume-water-use-without-an-authorization/?ref=bcgroundwaterwire.ca) · checked October 2, 2026

**Updates:** October 17, 2025: The survey on this proposal closed.

March 18, 2026: The Province reported that four of the six regulatory topics in the engagement were approved in February 2026\. This exemption was not one of them; the Province said the remaining topics may need legislative changes and have a longer timeline ([Blog Post #46](https://engage.gov.bc.ca/watersustainabilityact/2026/03/18/what-we-heard-feb2026/?ref=bcgroundwaterwire.ca)).

May 5, 2026: In the legislature, the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said this exemption would essentially clear the existing-use backlog ([Hansard](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260505pm-Hansard-n173.html?ref=bcgroundwaterwire.ca)).

**Related on the Wire:** [Your Livestock Licence Says “Industrial.” That’s Not a Mistake](https://bcgroundwaterwire.ca/your-livestock-licence-says-industrial-thats-not-a-mistake/)