Should Low-Risk Stormwater Use Be Exempt from Water Licences?

Official title: Stormwater management engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Alberta asked whether small-scale stormwater projects should skip the Water Act licensing process. The current rules made it expensive and slow to reuse rainwater, even for low-risk projects with clear benefits. Stakeholders helped shape new exemptions that are now in effect.

Why This Matters

Want to collect rainwater for your garden or business? This made it easier. Before, even small stormwater projects needed expensive licences. Now, projects using up to 6,250 cubic metres per year can skip the red tape.

What Could Change

The regulation has already changed. Stormwater diversions up to 6,250 cubic metres per year are now exempt from Water Act licences under specified conditions. This means faster approvals and lower costs for rainwater harvesting projects.

Key Issues

  • What volume of stormwater should be exempt from licensing?
  • Which uses of stormwater should qualify for exemption?
  • Should water-scarce regions have different exemption rules?

What Happened

Stakeholder feedback led to amendments to the Water (Ministerial) Regulation. Stormwater diversions of up to 6,250 cubic metres per year are now exempt from requiring a Water Act licence under specified conditions. The engagement was completed in April 2023.

View Final Decision

Key Documents