The Opportunity
The good news is that each of the water challenges we face can be met with laws, policies and practices that will help guarantee the needs of the environment, people and business. This however, will not happen under the current system.
To its credit, the BC Government has recognized that the failure to fundamentally reform BC water laws jeopardizes the environment and the well being of British Columbians.
In 2008, the BC Government announced the Living Water Smart initiative. Living Water Smart represents the BC Government’s commitments to modernize the Water Act by
- Protecting stream health and aquatic environments
- Improving water governance arrangements
- Introducing more flexibility and efficiency in the water allocation system
- Regulating ground water use in priority areas and for large withdrawals
