Government turns off water taps in parts of B.C. as low flows threaten salmon

The provincial government has ordered some farmers and other users in southern B.C. to turn off their water taps, because “severe low flows” are threatening endangered chinook salmon.

Randene Neill, B.C.’s minster of water, land and resource stewardship, says government always prefers voluntary measures to preserve water, but “when stream flows drop to critical levels, and vulnerable species are at risk,” government must take regulatory action.

The order issued Monday applies to 490 surface-water and groundwater licences and transitioning groundwater users in the Salmon River and Bessett Creek watersheds, including farmers who grow grass, alfalfa and corn for forage.

The government is also ordering 19 licensees in the Salmon River watershed to stop using water for lawns, fairways and ga