Solutions: Investments
Invest in Watershed Security
Investing in watershed security strengthens local water governance, bolsters monitoring and management systems, and rebuilds our natural defences. These actions are essential to reverse decades of watershed degradation, combat growing floods, fires and drought, and to ensure BC’s long-term economic and community resilience.
Getting to a $1Billion Watershed Security Fund
Our goal from the beginning has been to establish a $1B Fund that invests at least $75 million annually in watershed security.
In 2023, the BC government created the Watershed Security Fund in response to advocacy from our Coalition and partners. This independent fund was kick-started with a $100 million Endowment, administered through a unique co-governance partnership with First Nations. While this Fund has tremendous potential, its endowment currently generates only $3-5 million in annual grants—far below what’s needed.
Growing this Fund is critical to providing the sustained resources needed to support watershed work that strengthens our communities, ecosystems, and economies.
Who Benefits from Investments into Watershed Security?
Investing in watershed security provides concrete benefits for all British Columbians:
- access to clean drinking water
- water for BC farmers to grow food for our families
- water supply for our local businesses and industries
- drought, wildfire, and flood protection for our homes and communities
- stronger salmon runs and healthier ecosystems
- good family-supporting jobs in the watershed workforce that allow workers to stay in their communities
78% of British Columbians want to see major provincial investment in freshwater protection.
What Will it Take?
A combination of provincial, federal, private and philanthropic investments are needed to significantly scale the Fund’s impact. A diversified approach with a focus on dedicated, long-term funding will ensure sustained support for projects and initiatives that build watershed security.
Modernizing Industrial Water Rates: Ending BC’s Great Water Giveaway
BC charges large industrial water users only $2.25 per million litres—among the lowest industrial water rates in the country. Modernizing these rates and reinvesting the revenue through the BC Watershed Security Fund will build the watershed workforce, strengthen local watershed governance, and boost frontline water management capacity. Aligning BC’s rates with those of other provinces, which charge 20-80 times more than BC, could unlock over $100 million annually for watershed security without costing taxpayers a dime.
82% of British Columbians support higher industrial fees to restore watersheds.
