For those living in a city or other residential area, domestic
water is generally taken for granted unless water restrictions are enacted. Water
simply comes when you turn on the tap, and if it doesn’t you call your city or
municipality and find out why.
For those who live outside the
boundaries of cities and towns, domestic water can be one of the most important
issues when establishing a home. Where will it come from? How will it be used?
How much will be needed? All of these questions should be answered when
considering a home on a remote or rural property. If the property already has a
home in place, prospective buyers should be asking the same questions about any
water system in place.
Domestic water outside of city
water systems generally comes from three sources: groundwater through wells;
surface water through springs, creeks or rivers; and rain water. (There are
other options, such as desalination plants if one lives on the ocean or water
delivery which many road-access island
communities use in the dry summers when wells and cisterns are empty.) Of these
three, it is currently the use of surface water that requires a licence to
access in BC.
The Water Act of BC defines
what licencing is required and what that licence entitles one to. A licence
will define where the water may be taken from, how much water will be taken and
what the water will be used for. Information on domestic freshwater licences
can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/water-licensing-rights/water-licences-approvals
If the property has an existing well, it may be possible to look
up information. The province does track wells installed by well drillers,
however this database was voluntary before 2016. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/groundwater-wells-aquifers/groundwater-wells/information-for-property-owners/well-records-registration
Rain water collection is commonly done in a cistern, which can be
either above or below ground. They are often hidden underneath a deck.
Many recreational and remote property owners use tanks to store
additional water. This is especially useful on the west coast, where we tend to
have plenty of water in the wet winter months and less in the summer months
when the properties are seeing heavier use.
Knowing where the water is coming from, or what the options are to
get water, makes for good peace of mind when considering an unconventional
property.
It’s a Coastal Lifestyle … Live It!
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