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Your B.C. Government

Water

Fresh water is one of B.C.'s greatest assets. Your B.C. Government has launched a comprehensive strategy to protect our water resource and ensuring all British Columbians have access to clean drinking water.

What your B.C. Government is doing for Water:

  • Your B.C. Government is the first in the history of British Columbia to implement a $14 million comprehensive drinking water protection plan to improve water management and enhance water quality testing.
  • The Province is also the first to establish a Living Rivers Initiative to protect British Columbia’s waterways and fish habitat, including a $21 million Living River Trust.
  • Ordered the Capital Regional District (Victoria) to begin treating its raw sewage and we committed to providing 1/3 of the funding required for building the sewage treatment plant.
  • Put time limits on water power licenses so that ownership always stays with the public.
  • Since 2001, only 74 water licences have been granted for independent power producers (IPPs), while 157 have been refused or abandoned (data current to June 30, 2009).
  • The Province increased water rental fees to ensure the public receives fair value for the use of this public resource.
  • Developed Living Water Smart, a plan to keep our water healthy and secure into the future. Some of these measures include:
    • Protecting sources of drinking water
    • Strengthening flood protection
    • Ensuring wetlands and waterways are protected and rehabilitated
    • Setting strong water efficiency targets and working with all sectors to reduce consumption
    • Working in partnership with industry to develop a water efficiency labelling system for water consuming products
    • Working with our Olympic partners to use the Olympic Games spotlight to engage British Columbians and support smarter water choices
  • Invested $80 million in 87 drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects under the B.C. Community Water Improvement Program.
  • Your B.C. Government, along with federal and municipal partners, have committed a total of $220 million through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund in projects across the province, with at least 60 per cent dedicated to assisting with "green projects" such as drinking water, treatment and distribution.
  • Invested $10 million for hydrometric monitoring to help protect the public from flooding.

For more information:
Living Water Smart
Water Stewardship