Water Rights
The Water Rights, Investigations, and Modelling Section strives to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador’s precious water resources are properly allocated and conserved for the benefits of all water use sectors and future generations. The Section also strives to promote the recognition and appreciation of the value of water resources to ensure their sustainability and security. The following highlights the Section’s mandate and responsibilities with respect to Water Rights.
- Administers Part I “Water Rights” and other provisions of the Water Resources Act and regulations pertaining to use, conservation and efficiency, economics, allocation, and granting of rights of all water resources;
- Develops and implements regulations, policies, guidelines, procedures, methodologies, and programs for optimum use, conservation and efficiency, economics, allocation, and granting of rights of all water resources for all sectors;
- Issues water use licences after evaluating water use proposals;
- Conducts studies and projects on use, conservation and efficiency, economics, and valuation of all water resources for all sectors;
- Water Planning and Management including resolution of water use conflicts as they may arise and involvement in aboriginal land claims negotiations;
- Conducts continuous water use monitoring and reporting for all sectors;
- Maintains online Registry of Water Rights; and
- Provides other technical services.
Water Investigations and Complaints
As part of the Department’s mandate to manage the water resources of the province, the Investigations Section regulates alterations to bodies of water in compliance with Section 48 of the Water Resources Act, SNL 2002 c W-4.01. The Environmental Permits – Questions and Answers page lists the most common questions asked about what projects require approval and the approval process.
In addition to the approval process the Section also:
- investigates water related problems and complaints,
- provides technical services in hydrology, hydraulics and environmental design of water related structures,
- undertakes flood studies,
- evaluates impacts of development on water resources, and,
- addresses dam safety issues.
In an effort to simplify the approval process, the Section provides separate application forms for each type of project. Guidelines that describe proper construction practices for the type of project have also been developed. The guidelines are taken from “The Guidelines for Environmental Approvals” with each type of project listed as a separate chapter.