Written by Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Rexara Realty Inc.·Published: September 21, 2026·Water Rights
A BC water licence is generally appurtenant to the land, meaning it runs with the property and is not normally sold or transferred separately from the land it serves. You cannot typically carve the water right off the parcel and sell it on its own, because the licence is tied to the use of water on that specific land.
A change or amendment to a licence, such as moving a works point or changing the purpose, is possible through the provincial approval process, and a licence can sometimes be assigned to a different parcel in specific circumstances. But severing the water from the land for a standalone sale is not the normal path, and a buyer who expects the water to stay with the land should confirm that it does.
If your transaction involves any change to how water is used or where it is drawn, confirm the transfer and amendment process with the provincial water authority before you structure the deal. Read our Water Rights guide for the framework, because the appurtenance rule is the starting point, not the whole answer.
Important: This answer is general professional guidance for educational purposes and is not legal, tax, financial or regulatory advice. ALR rules, water licensing, zoning and farm-classification requirements can change and depend on your specific property. Always verify with the relevant BC authorities and qualified professionals before making decisions.
Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Brokerage: Rexara Realty Inc.
Gurjit Ghai is a BC real estate professional specializing in agricultural land, ALR properties, and farm operations across British Columbia. He helps buyers and sellers navigate water rights, soil capability, farm classification, and the unique due diligence that farmland transactions require.