Water Users' Communities

A water users' community (WUC) is a group of six or more water licensees, each with their own licence(s), who create and maintain a system to store and deliver water to their respective places of use.

Water users' communities are incorporated and named by the Comptroller of Water Rights.

The Water Users' Communities Act

On February 29, 2016, most of the Water Act was repealed and replaced by the Water Sustainability Act. Part 3 of the Water Act became the Water Users' Communities Act, which governs the creation and management of water users' communities.

Purpose of a WUC

A WUC may acquire, hold and control property and water licences. The community may also acquire, construct, hold, maintain, improve, replace and operate works. WUC members may save money and time through sharing resources and works used to divert water.

A Memorandum of Agreement (DOC, 22KB) is signed by licence holders to form a WUC.

Conducting the Business of a WUC

Links to the information guidance and relevant forms:

• Conducting the Business of a Water Users' Community (PDF, 120KB)
• Petition for Membership Template (PDF, 110KB)
• Assessment Roll Template (PDF, 122KB)
• Example of Completed Assessment Roll (PDF, 66KB)
• Declaration to Accompany Assessment Roll Template (PDF, 133KB)
• Example of Completed Declaration (PDF, 153KB)
• Memorandum of Agreement Template (PDF, 197KB)
• Example of Completed Memorandum of Agreement (PDF, 123KB)
• Certificates of Incorporation of Water Users’ Communities

Water Quality

Any WUC supplying drinking water is required by the Ministry of Health to meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Protection Act and the Drinking Water Protection Regulation.​