How Should Alberta Allocate Water from Rivers and Lakes?
Official title: Surface water allocation directive engagement
Why This Matters
If you're a farmer, rancher, or business that needs water, this affects how you get licensed. Live near a river? These rules determine how much water stays in the ecosystem. Fish and wildlife depend on it too.
What Could Change
The final directive is now in effect. It sets province-wide standards for water allocation decisions where no local plan exists. Industry gets clearer rules for planning. The Alberta Energy Regulator uses these criteria when approving water licences.
Key Issues
- How should water allocation balance ecological needs with economic considerations?
- What criteria should protect fish and wildlife habitat during water licensing?
- How should cumulative effects of multiple water diversions be managed?
How to Participate
- This consultation is now closed. Review the final Surface water allocation directive to see the outcome.
- Watch the Surface Water Allocation Directive webinar for background on the policy development.
What Happened
Feedback was collected through stakeholder information sessions in Calgary and Edmonton, an online survey, and email submissions from October 1 to November 9, 2018. Environmental NGOs and Indigenous organizations participated. The feedback was considered before finalizing the directive in February 2019. The government committed to continue working with stakeholders during implementation.