News and Events

Media Releases

• January 30, 2013

  Grants available to attend Source Water Protection Course

  Education of water system operators is an essential component of BC’s source-to-tap approach to protecting drinking water and public health. The BC Ministry of Environment is providing grants to operators of small water systems to enroll in a source water protection course and/or small water systems course offered through the BC Waste & Water Association (BCWWA).

  More information about course dates and grant eligibility can be found in BCWWA’s 2013 information bulletin or at bcwwa.org.

• January 2, 2013

  Excellence in Water Stewardship Awards

  British Columbians are invited to nominate a community, group or organization for the first annual Excellence in Water Stewardship Award. Sponsored by the Council of the Federation, the Excellence in Water Stewardship Awards recognize outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in water stewardship in Canada. For more information, download a BC Nomination Package (PDF / RTF). Nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2013.

• November 26, 2012

  Notice for External Review – Selenium Water Quality Guideline

  The updated draft BC Water Quality Guidelines for selenium are now open for external review.

  The review period for written feedback has been extended from November 16, 2012 to January 31, 2013. Note that all comments submitted will be posted to the Ministry’s web site at the completion of the review period.

  Please send your review comments on the Excel spreadsheet provided, accompanied by your name and affiliation (if any) prior to the End of the Review Period: January 31, 2013.

  Your comments should be directed to:

  • Geneen Russo, regarding the drinking water and human health guidelines, or
  • Julia Beatty, regarding the aquatic life and wildlife guidelines.
• October 10, 2012

  Notice for External Review

  The updated draft BC Water Quality Guideline for sulphate is posted to our website (see below) and is now open for a second external review.

    » http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/homesubs/drafts.html

  Please send your review comments, accompanied by your name and affiliation (if any) to Cindy Meays prior to the end of the review period: Nov. 12, 2012.

  We ask for written review feedback by Nov. 12, 2012. The review period may be extended if notice is received prior to the end of the review period. Please send all requests to extend your review period to Cindy Meays.

• March 22, 2012

  World Water Day – a message from Environment Minister Terry Lake

  Visit the Living Water Smart Blog to read Minister Lake’s message and to share your ideas
  by posting a comment.

  Read more
• March 20, 2012

  Do you know your water footprint?

  “Discover Your Water Footprint” is the theme of this year’s Canada Water Week, which runs this week, March 19-25.

  Read more
• March 16, 2010

  Water Act Modernization – Workshops for First Nations

  First Nations have unique interests in and traditional knowledge of water in British Columbia.  The provincial government is planning to modernize the Water Act, a key commitment in Living Water Smart: British Columbia’s Water Plan. The Water Act Modernization Discussion Paper is helping to stimulate discussion and encourage participation in the future of our water at the regional multi-sector workshops being held throughout the province.

  In addition to the multi-sector workshops, the Province will also be conducting three additional workshops specifically for First Nations at the following locations:

  • March 31 in Kamloops
  • April 1 in Nanaimo
  • April 14 in Terrace

  The purpose of the one-day workshops is to share information, discuss principles for a new Water Act and explore proposals for change that reflect First Nations values for water. To register, e-mail livingwatersmart@gov.bc.ca or call 250 387-9481 with the workshop you would like to attend and your full contact information.

• February 19, 2010
  Water Act Modernization Discussion Paper Now Available

  The Water Act modernization discussion paper is now available for your review and comment. The paper outlines opportunities for using, sustaining and managing water resources in a changing environment and has been developed to encourage dialogue on ways to modernize the Water Act.  It proposes principles to underpin a modernized Water Act and presents goals, objectives and describes possible solutions.

• January 25, 2010
  Preparing for Climate Change: Securing B.C.’s Water Future
  A $6.9-million collaborative adaptation program will help B.C. communities deal with the impacts of climate change on water use, forest and watershed management, flood protection and community planning. The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced a Regional Adaptation Collaborative led by the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and the Fraser Basin Council.
• December 18, 2009
  Living Water Smart Blog Launched
  Over the coming weeks and months, this blog will encourage discussion on water stewardship in B.C., share ideas and stories, and celebrate our water smart successes. The blog will be used to support dialogue on modernizing the Water Act. To join the discussion all you have to do is select comment and tell us what you think. Have your say on how B.C. can be a world leader in water stewardship.
• September 18, 2009
  Water Use Reduction Order to Protect Fish Populations [PDF 90KB]
  Due to low winter snowpacks and drought conditions this summer, and to protect the kokanee salmon population in the Nicola River, Environment Minister Barry Penner has ordered the temporary curtailment of water use on the river, upstream from Nicola Lake. The order is the first of its kind in B.C. and was issued under the authority of Section 9 of the Fish Protection Act. Section 9 was brought into force this August in anticipation of a need to protect fish populations in times of drought.
• August 7, 2009
  Water Efficiency Labelling Program Will Be Across Canada [PDF 30KB]
  

  Canadian Premiers have agreed to implement a Water Efficiency Labelling program across Canada and to establish a Council of the Federation Water Stewardship Council that will focus on water efficiency and conservation. Water efficient labels on water-using appliances and fixtures will help Canadian consumers make informed, environmentally friendly choices about products such as clothes washers, toilets and showerheads. This will ultimately reduce our Nation’s water consumption.

  Both of these initiatives are part of Living Water Smart and B.C.’s leadership and work has been instrumental for this progress.

• July 27, 2009
  B.C. Wetlands Get Boost from New Partnership [PDF 76KB]
  Efforts to conserve B.C.’s wetlands took a major step forward as government and several non-governmental organizations jointly formed the Wetland Stewardship Partnership (WSP). Wetland Ways: Interim Guidelines for Wetland Protection and Conservation in British Columbia was also released. “Protecting our wetlands is a key part of the B.C. Government’s Living Water Smart plan for keeping our water healthy and secure for everyone.” says Environment Minister Barry Penner.
• September 23, 2008
  Games Reward Green Ideas
  Students across the province are being challenged to become environmental stewards by developing school or community-based projects that help protect the environment…
• September 10, 2008
  B.C. Leads in Energy and Climate Change Policy
  British Columbia is once again being singled out as a leader in climate change and energy policies…
• September 5, 2008
  $16 Million for Flood Protection in B.C.
  Communities in all regions of British Columbia – from the Kootenays to Vancouver Island, and from the Interior to the Bulkley Valley – will benefit from a variety of cost-shared flood protection initiatives… [Backgrounder]
• August 26, 2008
  Okanagan Reservoir Lakes Decision on Hold
  The Province will not make a decision on recreational lot sales in the Okanagan reservoir lakes area until local elected officials and First Nations have been consulted and local communities have the opportunity to undertake hydrology studies…
• August 26, 2008
  Green Standards for Buildings Come into Effect
  Every new building in B.C. will meet progressive standards for energy and water efficiency beginning Sept. 5…
• June 3, 2008
  Living Water Smart:
  A Plan for Water Sustainability
  More than 40 actions and targets in a new government-wide plan will help all sectors, communities and British Columbians keep the province's water healthy and secure…
• May 30, 2008
  British Columbia to Lead Western Water Council
  British Columbia will establish a secretariat to support a new Western Water Stewardship Council, which will ensure western provinces have a safe supply of water…
• April 24, 2008
  Funding Helps Preserve Globally Recognized Wetlands
  The Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partnership will receive a $40,000 grant to help preserve the ecological diversity of one of the longest wetlands systems in North America, announced Environment Minister Barry Penner…
• April 23, 2008
  Expert Report Provides Advice on Drinking Water Safety
  Management of drinking water systems, including the effectiveness of water quality advisories, could be improved with more consistent risk assessment and more understandable public communication, an internationally recognized committee of water experts reported to Health Minister George Abbott…
• April 21, 2008
  Premier Launches Youth Climate Action Program
  Young British Columbians will have an opportunity to get personally involved in combating climate change through the $3-million Youth Climate Leadership Alliance…
• April 15, 2008
  “Green” Legislation Supports Local Governments
  The Province has introduced Bill 27, legislation to help municipalities and regional districts create more compact, sustainable and greener communities…
• April 15, 2008
  Greener Building Code Will Reduce Energy
  and Water Use
  New standards for the energy and water efficiency of buildings will lower energy and water use and decrease greenhouse gas emissions…
• April 14, 2008
  Mine Remediation Will Help Restore Fish Stocks
  The $4.5-million remediation of an abandoned Mount Washington open pit copper mine will support the recovery of Vancouver Island fish stocks…
  For more information on this project, visit the Tsolum River Restoration Society.
• March 20, 2008
  Projects Announced on World Water Day Get Boost
  British Columbia is investing more than $1 million in water-related funding to support water and fisheries resources…