Water rights in BC may be exercised under a system of priorities according to their respective priority dates. This is commonly referred to as ‘First in Time, First in Right’ or FITFIR. During times of water scarcity, licensees with the earlier priority dates are entitled to take their full allocation of water over the junior licensees. For example a water licence with a 1930 priority date would have precedence over a licence with a 1960 priority date, regardless of the purpose for which the water is used. The WSA maintains FITFIR, but introduces some modifications.
The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples – First Nations, Métis, and Inuit – respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.
