Water Sustainability Act (Bill 18) Introduced

I am pleased to introduce the Water Sustainability Act into the B.C. Legislature as Bill 18 today.  This legislation delivers on government’s commitment to modernize B.C.’s water laws, regulate groundwater use and strengthen provincial water management in light of growing demands on water and our changing climate.  Water is our most precious resource and this legislation will help ensure that our supply of fresh, clean water is sustainable – to meet our needs today and for generations to come.

Over the past four years government has engaged widely with British Columbians and has received thousands of ideas and recommendations for improvements to our system of water management. We have used this input to create legislation that provides greater certainty for water users, improves environmental protection, and better responds to local and regional needs. The Water Sustainability Act recognizes that groundwater and surface water are interconnected and addresses the need to manage them together.

Through this Bill, we also aim to improve the efficiency of water use in British Columbia, recognizing that expanding economic and societal needs will have to be met with supplies that are being affected by climate change.

The Water Sustainability Act will repeal most of the Water Act, which has served as our primary water law since 1909.  Many important provisions of the Fish Protection Act will also be brought into the Water Sustainability Act and a new Riparian Areas Protection Act will be created to ensure continued protection of riparian areas.  

In response to government’s Legislative Proposal released last fall, British Columbians also expressed strong sentiments about water pricing and I committed to further engage on water fees and rentals this year. Over the next four weeks, I invite you to comment on a set of principles that will help shape water fees and rentals in B.C. Government will use your comments, along with feedback from key user groups to help shape future water pricing options. Check out the Water Sustainability Act website and Pricing B.C.’s Water for more information.

The coming year will be an exciting one as we move into regulation development with the goal of bringing the new Act into effect in spring 2015. Thank you for your contributions to this important step towards sustainable management of water in B.C.

Sincerely,

Mary Polak Minister of Environment