Groundwater pricing policies in Canada : Groundwater pricing case study

However, in all provinces and territories, users of ground water pay little or no share of the opportunity cost of water and the social and environmental costs are also external to the user (i.e., borne by other users, the public generally or the environment). [...] Member States will be required to ensure that the price charged to water consumers - such as for the abstraction and distribution of fresh water and the collection and treatment of waste water - reflects the true costs. [...] The state is authorized to finance conservation projects for water user organizations in the basin but in return, the users must convey the conserved water to the state.20 Water markets have come under considerable criticism as many water rights holders often receive water fraught with subsidies, but are allowed to receive full market price for the water.21 In addition to Alberta,. [...] British Columbia: Explicit Public Ownership of Groundwater: The property in and the right to the use and flow of all the water at any time in a stream is vested in the public.30. [...] Manitoba: Explicit Public Ownership of Groundwater: Under the Water Rights Act, the definition of water includes groundwater and the ownership of all water is vested in public.34 Water Extraction Fees: Water usage fees are set out in the Water Rights Regulation.