Reform of Alberta water allocation system

“The Government of Alberta has provided its citizens with the opportunity to reform the water allocation system. The purpose of this paper is to inspire Albertans to participate in the discussion about Alberta’s water future in an informed manner.” August, 2009

Introduction

When it comes to water, Alberta is at a crossroads. In the twenty-first century, Alberta faces new challenges. We now know that Alberta’s water supplies are not limitless. In fact, they are decreasing. Over the past three decades, Albertans, along with the rest of the world, have come to recognize the environmental values associated with natural watercourses, aquatic ecosystems, fisheries, and wildlife. The Government of Alberta has passed laws to protect water quality from industrial pollutants, but laws to protect instream water quantity have not kept pace.

For the first time in 12 years, the Alberta government is considering whether to update their water allocation system. Increasingly, it has become apparent that there are more and more demands for a resource that is dwindling. By the close of 2005, Alberta had allocated more than 9.5 billion cubic metres of water annually for various uses throughout the province. Today, the South Saskatchewan River is over-allocated and there are strong arguments that the North Saskatchewan River is headed in the same direction.

Alberta’s current system to allocate water among all users is no longer able to fully respond to population growth, opportunities for industrial growth, reduced water flows, and the coming challenges of climate change. Without significant changes, the current water allocation system will produce winners and losers without any rational consideration of how we want water to be used for the benefit of Albertans.

Specific recommendations include the following:

1. Legally enforceable water management plans for each basin, developed using the best available scientific evidence;

2. Legally enforceable objectives that protect instream flow needs for each basin;

3. Water entitlements based on water “shares” allocating a percentage of the water available in excess of the water left instream. Water volumes allocated to each share are to be adjusted seasonally, and more often if needed, in response to predicted flows in the basin;

4. Provided water is secured for people and the environment, establish a water allocation and share trading system that facilitates the re-allocation of water from one use to another;

5. The ability of the public to hold water shares for instream purposes;

6. The use of incentives to encourage water conservation and the efficient use of water; and

7. The inclusion of groundwater in the water management system.

The purpose of this paper is to inspire Albertans to participate in the discussion about Alberta’s water future in an informed manner. The Government of Alberta has provided its citizens with the opportunity to reform the water allocation system. Albertans should participate in defining a new water future for Alberta. (more)

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