Implementing Living Water Smart

Living Water Smart sets the direction for changes to water management and water use. These changes are crucial measures for adaptation to climate change impacts and the pressures placed on water resources from a growing population and economy.

Implementation of Living Water Smart is a provincial government priority that involves 11 ministries and many water and land managers and users.  Some projects are complete, or will have a short life of two to three years, while other commitments will be implemented over a much longer time period.

Many government programs are playing an important role in achieving Living Water Smart. Some of these valuable initiatives include:

• B.C. Government Great Goal 4 – to lead the world in sustainable environmental management, with the best air and water quality, and the best fisheries management, bar none.
• Climate Action Plan
• Green Communities
• LiveSmart BC
• B.C. Agriculture Plan
• B.C. Energy Plan
• Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan
• Drinking Water Action Plan
• Green Energy Task Force

We also acknowledge the vital role that external groups and organizations play in achieving the Living Water Smart vision and goals.  The Your Stories section of our site sets out some of the great things our local organizations have been doing.

Considering the wide scope of the program, implementation of Living Water Smart is using a phased approach. It is important to note that some of the commitments in Living Water Smart are part of ongoing business for government. Stakeholder and First Nations’ roles and the purpose and level of engagement will change throughout implementation phases.

Government has allocated resources to the following activities:

• $100M for flood risk mitigation work;
• $4.5M for the Mt. Washington Mine Remediation project to restore health to the Tsolum River;
• $60M for LiveSmart BC home assessments;
• Infrastructure grant program for water-related infrastructure and water conservation;
• Modernizing the Water Act.

Program Coordination

Living Water Smart is a provincial plan and delivery involves eleven ministries and a range of stakeholders.  Local and federal governments, industry groups, First Nations, non-governmental organizations, communities and citizens all have important roles to play in achieving water stewardship.

The Ministry of Environment is responsible for overall coordination and reporting on Living Water Smart and is also leading action on a number of specific commitments in the plan.

Questions, comments, or suggestions regarding implementation?  Please send us an e-mail at livingwatersmart@gov.bc.ca or share your thoughts via our Living Water Smart Blog.