Water Licence Amendments
An existing water licence may be amended under the Water Act for several reasons, which include: the apportionment (or division) of water rights; the transfer appurtenancy of water rights; the change of works or the extension of time to complete the construction of authorized works.
If you wish to register a water licence into your name, please review Change of Water Licence Holder.
If the land described on your Certificate of Title does not match the appurtenancy of the water licence - that is, as indicated in clause (g) of the licence document, it may be necessary to amend your water licence.
This checklist should be used when submitting the following applications to amend a water licence.
Checklist [pdf]
- Apportionment (or division) of the water rights from an existing water licence between one or more parcels of land.
For example, the water licence’s appurtenancy (the land where the water rights are tied to) may be subdivided.
If satisfied that no licensee’s rights will be injuriously affected, the comptroller or regional water manager may apportion the rights and obligations granted and imposed under a licence among the owners the owners of parcels comprising the land to which the licence is appurtenant.
Application Form Apportionment  (167kb) ( Word 272kb)
- Transfer of Appurtenancy of the water rights of an existing water licence to a new parcel of land.
For example, the water rights from an exiting water licence are transferred to a neighbouring property
The comptroller or regional water manager may, transfer all or part of the rights and obligations granted and imposed under the licence, from the holder to the proposed transferee; and issue a new licence to the transferee or the transferor, or both
Application Form Transfer of Appurtenancy (98kb) ( Word 83kb)
- General Amendments to an existing water licence can occur for several reasons, they include:
- to extend the time set for beginning construction of works;
- to extend the time set for completion of works;
- to extend the time set for making beneficial use of the water;
Application Form Extension of Time (96kb) ( Word 80kb)
- authorize additional or other works than those previously authorized;
Application Form Change of Works (90kb) ( Word 80kb)
- the use of water for some purpose other than that specified in the licence
Application Form Change of Purpose (88kb) ( Word 80kb)
- Addition general amendments include: extend the term of the licence; correct an error in the licence; remove a provision of the licence that is inconsistent with the Water Act; and increase or reduce the quantity of water authorized to be diverted or stored if it appears to have been erroneously estimated.
An amendment to a water licence may also occur where a portion of the water rights granted by the licence are cancelled. For example, a partial cancellation may occur if annual rentals are not paid, and/or, where a portion of the water rights provided by the licence have not been beneficially used.
An amendment to a water licence may also occur where a portion of the water rights provided by the licence are abandoned. For example, a water licence may be issued for domestic and irrigation use. The licence holder may no longer require a water licence for domestic use (e.g., drinking water may be available from a community water supply system). In this example, the licence holder may abandon the domestic portion of the licence.
Refer to Abandon a Water Licence for more details.
Where do I submit my application for a water licence amendment ?
- In most regions of the province FrontCounterBC (Integrated Land Management Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands) will receive the amendment application on behalf of the Water Stewardship Division (Ministry of Environment). Once FrontCounterBC has completed the initial processing of your application, the Water Stewardship Division will adjudicate your proposal.
FrontCounterBC locations [pdf]
Where do I obtain technical information on my proposed amendment ?
- If you have questions of generally a technical nature, e.g., how to apportion water rights, availability of water, construction of works etc., you may wish to contact the Water Stewardship Division (Ministry of Environment).
Water Stewardship locations
Amendment Fees (refer to page two of Schedule 1)
Water Licence Amendment Guidelines are used by Water Stewardship staff to amend water licences.
| 
