Provincial Advisory for Control of Flowing Wells in the Township

A flowing artesian well is one that has been drilled into an aquifer, where the pressure within the aquifer (artesian pressure) forces the groundwater to rise above the land surface naturally without using a pump. A flowing artesian well may flow intermittently or continually, and if not carefully planned, constructed, or controlled, may cause substantial damage and incur significant and unexpected costs. Controlling artesian flow conserves groundwater resources, preserves the pressure within the aquifer, protects flow at critical natural discharge points such as streams or springs, and prevents damage to property and the natural environment (such as via flooding or erosion).

Uncontrolled flowing artesian well

Controlled high pressure flowing artesian well

Flowing artesian wells in the Township

The areas under potential artesian pressure in Township of Langley boundaries are identified below (Figure 2). Most of the flowing wells in the Township are found in Nicomekl-Serpentine (Aquifer 58), West of Aldergrove (Aquifer 33), and South of Murrayville (Aquifer 51) aquifers. A qualified professional or a certified well-driller (discussed further below) can advise regarding the occurrence of flowing artesian conditions in the Township and the requirements for well construction or control (if the well is already flowing).

The province has advised on the flowing artesian conditions in BC and has provided a well-drilling advisory for areas in the Township where flowing artesian conditions could be encountered. Read details of this advisory and learn more about assessing, controlling, or decommissioning flowing artesian wells.

Map of the location of potential flowing artesian conditions (aquifers 58, 33, and 51) in Langley and Surrey, BC

Controlling flowing artesian wells

A flowing artesian well can cause substantial damage to the environment and property, and incur significant remediation costs, if not properly controlled, constructed, or closed. Controlling artesian flow is a requirement of the B.C. Water Sustainability Act (WSA, Sections 52 & 53) and the Groundwater Protection Regulation (Parts 8, 9 & 10). The Township’s Water Management Plan (WMP), endorsed by Council in 2009, identifies flowing artesian wells as one possible means for groundwater wastage in the Township and recommends to bring them under control (Recommendation 9). The guidance documents for WSA and Groundwater Protection Regulation provide additional details regarding the legislative requirements for controlling the artesian flow.

Learn more

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development - Guidance on Implementation of s. 52(6) WSA – Managing Artesian Flow in Exceptional Circumstances
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development - Groundwater Protection Regulation: Guidance Manual

Responsibilities regarding constructing or controlling a flowing artesian well

A flowing artesian well must be carefully planned and constructed. Well-drillers and well owners should be prepared in case flowing artesian conditions are encountered in the identified aquifers within the Township (Figure 2) during well construction, as the artesian conditions can happen unexpectedly during drilling. If artesian conditions are encountered and the well has the likelihood to flow, a well-driller or a professional who is qualified (i.e., must have competency in stopping or controlling artesian due to training, experience, knowledge, and skills) in respect of the activity must be engaged to stop or control the flow. If the registered water well driller or professional fails to stop or control the artesian flow, it is the well owner's responsibility to hire another registered water well driller or professional to ensure that the artesian flow is stopped or brought under control. If the artesian flow cannot be controlled, the person responsible should contact FrontCounter BC and ask to speak with a regional hydrogeologist for advice.

More information

Province of British Columbia - Flowing Artesian Well Brief for the Well Owner
Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia - Practice Advisory: Flowing Artesian Wells and Excavations