Ministry of Environment - Water Stewardship Division

Quick Licencing

Quick licensing is a “fast track” process for adjudicating water licence applications - both new licences and amendments to existing licences. It can be used for applications for small quantities on sources where the withdrawal would have no impact on other water users. Further, there must be no significant environmental, First Nations, or fisheries concerns.

Eligibility Criteria for Quick Licensing

To be eligible for quick licensing, an application must not be on an “excluded stream” and it must either be:

for a domestic use, with an allocation volume not exceeding 500 gallons a day, or
for a “minor agricultural” use with an allocation volume not exceeding 2,500 gallons a day or 1 acre-foot per year.

In addition, if the proposed works will cross, flood or otherwise affect another person’s land, the landowner(s) must provide written consent.

If an application does not meet these criteria, it is adjudicated by the standard process.

Excluded and Sensitive Streams

If quick licensing is not appropriate for a particular stream, the stream is designated as an “excluded stream” and all applications on the stream proceed by the standard adjudication process rather than by quick licensing.

The reasons for designation vary, but many relate to concerns about the overall supply of water and the interests of other users.

“Sensitive” streams designated under the Fish Protection Act are automatically excluded from quick licensing as well.

Officials Authorized to Issue Quick Licences

Water Licences are issued by the Comptroller of Water Rights, the Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights, the Regional Water Manager or the Assistant Regional Water Manager. If the application is eligible for quick licensing, an “authorized official” may issue the new water licence or an amendment to an existing water licence.

Authorized officials can only be designated by the Regional Water Manager or Comptroller of Water Rights.