A Well Record is a provincial record maintained in the BC Groundwater Wells and Aquifers database that documents a groundwater well's construction details, yield, and water quality. The database is administered by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy under the Water Sustainability Act, SBC 2014, c. 15. Verify current access procedures and record completeness at www.gov.bc.ca or with a BC lawyer or notary before relying on a well record for a real estate transaction.

BC law does not mandate a Well Record search as a statutory precondition to closing a real estate transaction. However, prudent due diligence on well-water properties commonly includes obtaining the Well Record and arranging a current potability and flow test, as recommended by BC real estate practitioners. Verify your specific due diligence obligations with a BC lawyer or notary before waiving conditions.

Well Records are publicly accessible through the BC Groundwater Wells and Aquifers database, maintained by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Records can be searched online at www.gov.bc.ca using the well tag number, physical address, or legal land description. Verify current search procedures and any access fees with the Ministry or a BC notary or lawyer.

A Well Record typically includes the well tag number, driller identification, construction date, depth, diameter, static water level, well yield (flow rate), and geological information. Water quality test results may also be included if submitted at the time of drilling. Verify the completeness of any specific Well Record directly with the BC Groundwater Wells and Aquifers database or a BC professional before relying on it for purchase decisions.

No. A Well Record documents construction details and may include historical water quality data, but it does not constitute a current potability certification. Due diligence on well-water properties commonly includes arranging a separate, current potability test through an accredited laboratory, as water quality can change over time. Verify testing requirements and standards with a BC notary, lawyer, or licensed well professional before waiving conditions.

Yes. Under the Water Sustainability Act, SBC 2014, c. 15, and the Groundwater Protection Regulation, B.C. Reg. 299/2004, well drillers are required to file a Well Record with the provincial Comptroller of Water Rights after completing or altering a well. Verify current filing obligations and enforcement with the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy or a BC lawyer before acting.

Yes, the absence of a Well Record does not legally prevent the sale of a property in BC. However, missing or incomplete well documentation may complicate due diligence, affect buyer confidence, and create potential liability issues regarding water supply representation under the Real Estate Services Act, SBC 2004, c. 42. Verify disclosure obligations and risk allocation with a BC lawyer or notary before completing the transaction.

The BC Groundwater Wells and Aquifers database contains records dating back to approximately the 1960s (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current), though coverage and completeness vary by region and era. Older wells may have incomplete or missing records if they were drilled before mandatory reporting requirements. Verify the availability and completeness of records for a specific property directly with the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy or a BC professional.

A well tag number is a unique provincial identifier assigned to each registered groundwater well in BC. The tag number is typically found on a metal tag affixed to the well casing at the time of drilling, and it is also recorded in the Well Record in the BC Groundwater Wells and Aquifers database. Verify the location and legibility of the tag, or search by address or legal description, with a BC well professional or through www.gov.bc.ca before relying on the number.

Yes. A historical yield figure in a Well Record reflects conditions at the time of drilling or testing, which may have been years or decades ago; aquifer levels and well performance can change over time. Due diligence commonly includes a current flow test and potability test to confirm present-day water quantity and quality. Verify testing scope, timing, and interpretation with a BC lawyer, notary, or licensed well professional before waiving subject-to conditions.