North Saskatchewan Region Surface Water Quality Framework

Official title: North Saskatchewan Region Surface Water Quality Management engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Alberta developed a framework to manage water quality in the North Saskatchewan and Battle rivers. The goal? Protect clean water while allowing development. This consultation gathered input on how to monitor pollution and set limits for human impacts on these waterways.

Why This Matters

Get your drinking water from the North Saskatchewan or Battle rivers? This framework affects how clean it stays. Farmers, industries, and municipalities all impact water quality. The rules set here determine what's allowed before action is required.

What Could Change

The framework is now complete. It sets water quality thresholds that trigger government action when exceeded. Industries and municipalities in the watershed must now operate within these limits. If pollution indicators spike, the province can require changes to operations.

Key Issues

  • What indicators should be used to measure water quality?
  • What thresholds should trigger government action?
  • How should cumulative impacts from multiple activities be managed?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation is now closed. Review the Engagement Summary to see what participants said.
  2. Read the final North Saskatchewan Region Surface Water Quality Management Framework that resulted from this engagement.

What Happened

Feedback was collected through an online survey from June 22 to September 17, 2021, and a webinar was held on July 6. Indigenous communities and key stakeholder groups were also engaged. The input helped develop the North Saskatchewan Region Surface Water Quality Management Framework, which was completed in September 2022.