As we know the climate is changing and water storage and conservation is essential in our area for farmers, ranchers, communities, businesses, and emergency responders.
The Province of Alberta has made changes to the Water Act that will allow increased water availability, improved conservation, support production in agriculture, and enhance community protection. Currently, many dugouts are sized too small to capture available water because of a 2,500 cubic metre exemption limit. Effective immediately, farmers and ranchers can fill their dugouts up to 7,500 cubic metres – triple the previous limit – provided the water is used for agricultural purposes. This change helps protect them from future droughts and supports strong agricultural operations.
“Albertans asked for practical improvements to make more water available, and we’re delivering,”shares 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.”
Alberta’s government is also making it easier for communities and businesses to use less fresh water by using stormwater instead. Under the new exemptions, a newly constructed wetland will also be able to capture and fill with up to 7,500 cubic metres of local surface runoff per year. That’s a 1,250 cubic metre increase from the previous limit, supporting more wetlands across the province.
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. 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.
-With excerpts from release by the Province of Alberta-
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