LibGuides: WET Hydrology & Hydrogeology: Is Rainwaterr Harvesting Legal in British Columbia

Rainwater Harvesting in British Columbia

Rainwater harvesting is legal in British Columbia, but it is a complex issue subject to specific regulations, particularly concerning its use as a source of drinking water and its interconnection to other water systems. While you do not need a water license for harvesting rainwater, you must follow local bylaws and plumbing codes.

The complexity of rainwater harvesting lies in the time and resources needed to review federal, provincial, indigenous, municipal, and regional district regulations (regional district regulations can vary by electoral districts within the regional districts).

In addition, if the Rainwater Harvesting System (RWHS) is being implemented in a location governed under the B.C. Under the Strata Property Act, permission to install and operate an RWHS would have to be granted by the Strata Corporation (similar rules would be in place in other provincial and territorial jurisdictions in Canada).

Guidance for Treatment of Rainwater Harvested for Potable Use Version 1.1 / First Published August 2020 Ministry of Health
This guidance document provides a general overview of assessing risks and treatment of rainwater for potable use in British Columbia. It characterizes harvested rainwater as a type of surface water, meaning water from a source which is open to the atmosphere and includes streams, lakes, rivers, creeks and springs, as defined in the Drinking Water Protection Regulation (DWPR). This document is intended to supplement but not replace the existing surface water treatment objectives found in the Ministry of Health’s Drinking Water Treatment Objectives (Microbiological) for Surface Water Supplies in British Columbia (referred to herein as the BC Surface Water Treatment Objectives). potable use in British Columbia. It characterizes harvested rainwater as a type of surface water, meaning water from a source which is open to the atmosphere and includes streams, lakes, rivers, creeks and springs, as defined in the Drinking Water Protection Regulation (DWPR). This document is intended to supplement but not replace the existing surface water treatment objectives found in the Ministry of Health’s Drinking Water Treatment Objectives (Microbiological) for Surface Water Supplies in British Columbia (referred to herein as the BC Surface Water Treatment Objectives).
Canadian Standards Association Rainwater Harvesting Systems
The provisions of this standard apply to the design, materials, installation and operation of rainwater harvesting systems for potable and non-potable applications.
The Code Council and CSA Group Publish New Rainwater Harvesting Standard. (2019). Contractor Magazine, 64(4), 41.
The International Code Council and CSA Group published the CSA B805/ICC 805 Rainwater Harvesting System standard for use in the U.S. and Canada. This new standard addresses the design, materials, installation and operation of residential and commercial rainwater harvesting systems for potable and non-potable water uses.

Rainwater Harvesting in the City of Kelowna & Regional District of Central Okanagan

The City of Kelowna's water conservation strategy encourages the collection of rainwater for the irrigation of gardens and plants.

Regional District of Central Okanagan

Climate change and the growing population of the Okanagan are the two primary drivers of water-related issues in the Okanagan Water Basin.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) supports water conservation. It has been estimated that residents and industry in the Okanagan use almost double the amount of water as does the average Canadian local.

One of the RDCO strategies involves a partnership with the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) to sell backyard composters and rain barrels. Rainwater is a great source of soft, fresh and untreated water for your plants. A rain barrel can help save you money by limiting the amount of metered tap water you use on your garden.

RDCO Okanagan Climate Projections Report
The RDCO has partnered with the regional districts of North Okanagan and Okanagan Similkameen on the Climate Projections Report for the Okanagan. This report provides the scientific foundation to make informed decisions that support community action and to better prepare for climate variations over the next 30 and 60 years.