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By rdnewsNOW staff

Provincial Politics

Province to update the Water Act

Apr 29, 2025 | 11:28 AM

Alberta’s government says it is exploring opportunities to make more water available by updating the Water Act – and wants to hear from Albertans.

According to provincial officials, demand for water is rising and Alberta is looking at ways to make more water available for farmers, ranchers, businesses and growing communities. The government says the Water Act has not been updated in 25 years and with more families, agri-businesses, food processing plants and many others coming to the province, it is important that the system makes every drop count.

While most of the Water Act is working well, note provincial officials, the government says its recently heard from over a thousand Albertans who suggested improvements that could potentially help make the system stronger. As a result, Alberta’s government says it is now seeking public feedback on some of the targeted changes put forward by Albertans to maximize the water supply and make more water available to those who need it.

“We need to ensure we have the water we need for people, our environment and our major industries for today, tomorrow and for generations to come,” says Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “Albertans have given us clear feedback on the Water Act, that it can and should be reviewed, and suggested specific updates for further discussion. We know there are many different views and perspectives, and we’re grateful for the participation and engagement to help us get this right.”

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The government says the foundation of Alberta’s water management system is already working successfully. Officials note, for example, Alberta’s priority system will continue to be based on principles of first-in-time, first-in-right – a system that has worked well for more than 100 years. The province says there will be no changes considered that reduce anyone’s current water allocations, nor add any new royalties, bulk or volumetric pricing for water.

The government says Alberta’s Water for Life strategy will keep guiding the province’s water system, ensuring healthy, secure and sustainable water supply for communities, economy and aquatic ecosystems. Officials say Alberta will also continue to support water allocation transfers in basins with approved water management plans and will continue to require a special act of the legislature for any high-risk inter-basin transfers.

Targeted improvements proposed by Albertans

Having heard from Albertans directly, the government says it is now seeking feedback on some of the most commonly raised, or practical changes that were proposed. Officials say the updates could:

• Streamline regulatory decisions on licence amendments and transfers.
• Enhance water use information to support licence and transfer decisions.
• Enable lower risk inter-basin transfers where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
• Enable management of alternative water sources, such as rainwater, stormwater and wastewater reuse.

The government says Albertans can provide feedback on the specific proposals until June 30.

There will also be targeted in-person sessions across the province with Indigenous communities and water using sectors in May. The government says no decisions have been made, and government will review all the feedback before determining what changes, if any, move forward.

Provincial officials say this engagement builds off the first phase undertaken in fall 2024 and winter 2025, but there is more work to do. Engagement on other ideas for regulatory, policy and program changes put forward by Albertans to improve water availability may also take place in the future as government works to strengthen the water management system.

Alberta government quick facts

• Alberta’s government engaged with Albertans to hear ideas about how to strengthen and modernize the water system.
  • Phase one occurred October 2024 through January 2025 with more than 1,400 people participating and sharing ideas.
• Alberta continues to improve water management across the province, including:
  • $5 million over three years for the Alberta Water Storage Assessment Program.
  • $12 million over two years for Bow River Reservoir (with Transportation and Economic Corridors).
  • $25 million investment this year through the Drought and Flood Protection Program.
  • $8.7 million for wetlands through the Wetlands Replacement Program
  • $3.5 million through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program.

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