British Columbians have faced a recurring cycle of wildfires, floods, and droughts in recent years. New polling indicates that 64% of us are concerned about fresh water scarcity. Yet, BC continues to allow major industrial users, including commercial water bottlers and oil and gas companies, to extract vast quantities of fresh water at shockingly low rates.
According to a recent Vancouver Sun op-ed, BC charges just $2.25 per million litres of water for industrial water rental rates. Below are some comparisons to put that number in perspective.



This broken system not only devalues BC’s most precious resource but also exacerbates environmental and social inequalities. Small communities outside of urban centres often have limited control over local water resources despite facing the brunt of water insecurity.
The op-ed stresses the urgent need for a fair water pricing system that protects BC’s watersheds and invests in our natural defences against future fires and floods, addressing the growing impacts of climate change. If industries paid a fairer rate for the water they use, these funds could support much-needed initiatives to secure and restore watersheds, mitigate the impacts of climate disasters, and ensure sustainable water use for future generations.
Water is life. It’s time for BC to rethink its water rental rates and adopt a pricing scale that reflects the true value of water for our communities, farms, fish, and local economy.
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For more information, read the full op-ed in the Vancouver Sun.