DATE ISSUED: May 28, 2019

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

The BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) has launched an update to the Northeast Water Tool (NEWT). NEWT is a GIS-based decision support tool that provides hydrological information on water availability, environmental flow needs and authorizations.

NEWT V4 replaces the original version released in 2012, and the updates in 2013 and 2016.

The enhancements include:

• Potential allocations in alignment with the Provincial Environmental Flow Needs (EFN) Policy.
• Groundwater licence locations and details.
• A new report template to provide additional details and improve visual appeal.

NEWT V4 remains intuitive and easy to use.

Potential Monthly Allocation

Previously, the potential monthly allocation in NEWT was a “customized” methodology based on a combination of the Alberta Desktop Method and the Provincial EFN Policy. This “customized” potential monthly allocation within NEWT has been superseded by the Provincial EFN Policy. The Provincial EFN Policy provides a coarse screen to assess the risk to the EFN in the review of applications for a water licence or a short-term water use approval where the origin of water is a river or creek. The associated Risk Management Levels (i.e. 1, 2 or 3) are also included in the summary table. Risk management levels are calculated assuming the presence of fish.

For information on how water use is regulated in B.C.’s oil and gas industry visit our Water Information page.

If you have any inquiries regarding this Industry Bulletin, please contact:

Suzan Lapp
Hydrologist
BC Energy Regulator

Suzan.Lapp@bcogc.ca
250-794-5316