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By rdnewsNOW staff

Water Act exemptions

Provinces announces expanded water storage for farmers, ranchers, and communities

Jan 21, 2026 | 4:49 PM

The Government of Alberta has implemented new rules that will make it easier to store and use water. 

Authorities say that many dugouts are sized too small to capture available because of a 2,500 cubic metre exemption limit in the Water Act.

Now, with expanded Water Act exemptions, farmers and ranchers will be able to fill their dugouts up to 7,500 cubic metres as long as the water is used for agricultural operations.

“Albertans asked for practical improvements to make more water available, and we’re delivering,” said Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “These changes make it easier for farmers, businesses and communities to access and store water. It’s good for communities, the environment and the economy.”

Furthermore, the province is also making it easier for communities and businesses to use stormwater and less fresh water.

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A newly constructed wetland will be able to capture up to 7,500 metres of local surface runoff every year.

“Reliable access to water is essential for Alberta’s farmers and ranchers, especially as they manage drought risk and plan for the future,” said R.J. Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “These practical changes respond directly to what producers and rural communities have been asking for – making it easier to store and use water responsibly so agricultural operations can remain strong, resilient and productive.”

Other changes include making it easier to:

• Use water for bridge, sign washing and dust control.
• Supply water to a temporary work camp.
• Access water from borrow pits on unoccupied public land in the Green Area.

“As demand for water increases across our province, Alberta’s government is modernizing the water management system to ensure we meet the challenges of today,” the province stated. “Recent improvements include passing the Water Amendment Act, which removes the requirement for riparian restoration projects to get a temporary diversion licence for watering plants, while also ending the unnecessary 10 per cent holdbacks on most water licence transfers, giving Albertans more freedom to water.”