Environment
Irrigation
A permit is needed to withdraw surface water (from a stream or river) when:
- the rate of withdrawal is more than 50 imperial gallons per minute, or
- more than 10,000 imperial gallons are withdrawn per day
Each year, the department issues a number of permits to remove surface water for irrigation purposes. Most go to agricultural producers, but some are granted to golf courses. Most permit holders do not irrigate every year. Many irrigate only during dry periods in mid-to-late summer. Irrigation is not needed when crops receive enough rainfall to keep them healthy and growing.
The rate of water withdrawl is calculated based on the quantity of water available in a particular stream or river. Regardless of use, the rate of water withdrawal must not be greater than 800 imperial gallons per minute.
Permit holders have certain responsibilities. They must:
- keep a record of the quantity of water withdrawn, and
- monitor stream flow water levels in their area (this can be done via the internet)
Maintenance flow is defined as the amount of water needed in a stream or river to maintain a healthy system for fish and other aquatic life. When the stream flow level approaches the maintenance flow, the withdrawal of water must immediately stop. When the stream flow level is greater than the maintenance flow requirement, water can again be removed.
The department has placed in-stream flow monitoring equipment in the larger rivers across the province. This equipment records the water flow in the rivers and plots the information onto a graph. If maintenance levels are reached, department staff will visit the river to make sure the readings are correct. Permit holders can also monitor stream flow levels using an on-line application. This is available at www.gov.pe.ca/environment/stream-levels.
Irrigation sites are inspected periodically by department staff to make sure that all conditions on an irrigation permit are being met. Violations can result in a fine and the cancellation of a permit.
For more information, please contact:
Charlottetown - Dale Thompson
Western Forest District Office - Kevin Arsenault
This information has been taken from website "Environment"