2023 R16 – Call for Improvements for Provincial Water Licensing Approvals

Whereas the changing climate conditions are creating prolonged water restrictions that impact businesses, limit or stop food production and create other issues for many communities;

And whereas licencing for community drinking water systems may take the Province of British Columbia over two years to approve, even when a state of local emergency is in effect for the applicant:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to:
1. Substantially increase the resources allocated for the processing of water licence applications; and
2. Prioritize water licence applications to give urgency based on health and safety, particularly in light of the current climate conditions.