Activities that require water licences 

 

Activities (undertakings) that may require a water licence are described in Schedule 2 (page 17) of the Waters Regulation. Schedules 5-10 (pages 25-44) in the Waters Regulation further determine the type and licensing requirements of the activities. 

 

Variables that determine whether a water licence is required, include:

  • amount of water to be used;
  • indirect water use, i.e. watercourse crossing or training, flood control, diversions or alteration of flow or storage; and
  • deposit of waste.

 

Complete licensing requirements are set out in the Waters Act and Waters Regulation as well as in the Board’s Operation and Administration Manual.

 

Click on the activities below for a description of the activity and a reference to the applicable Schedule in the Waters Regulation.

 

Description

Nourishing crops or the providing of water for livestock.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 10 (page 41), Waters Regulation

Description

Construction of works for the preservation, protection or improvement of the existing natural environment.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 10 (page 41), Waters Regulation

Description

Any industrial activity, other than placer or quartz mining, including manufacturing processes, hydrostatic testing, milling, fluming, the exploration for, and production and transportation of oil and gas, cooling systems, food processing, tanneries, smelters, sawmills, pulp mills, metal finishing and tailings reprocessing.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 5 (page 25), Waters Regulation

Description

Any other undertaking.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 10 (page 41), Waters Regulation

Description

Any activity:

  • In a city, town or village or in a settlement comprising a multiplicity of residential units, that uses only a municipal water and sewage system, including domestic, horticultural, fire protection, commercial or industrial activities;

  • In a camp or lodge.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 8 (page 35), Waters Regulation

 

Description

Placer mining within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Placer Mining Act.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 6 (page 29), Waters Regulation

 

Description

Authorized hydro or geothermal electrical generation of:

  • Class 0
    150 or fewer kilowatts (kW)

  • Class 1
    More than 150 kW but less than 5,000 kW

  • Class 2
    5,000 or more kW but less than 10,000 kW

  • Class 3
    10,000 or more kW but less than 20,000 kW

  • Class 4
    20,000 or more kW but less than 50,000 kW

  • Class 5
    50,000 or more kW but less than 1000,000 kW

  • Class 6
    100,000 or more kilowatts

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 9 (page 39), Waters Regulation

Description

Quartz mining within the meaning of the Quartz Mining Act.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 7 (page 31), Waters Regulation

Description of undertaking

A commercial or public recreational development.

 

Licensing criteria

Schedule 10 (page 41), Waters Regulation