The current water rights system is under review by the Alberta Government because the demand for water in Alberta has increased. Water use in Alberta is expected to increase by 21% by 2025. With the fastest growing population in Canada, municipalities in Alberta are expecting a 25% increase in water use by 2025. Climate change also threatens to reduce the amount of water in river systems. Finally, not all Albertans and the environment have guaranteed water under the current water rights system.

Municipalities

Alberta's population is expected to grow up to 4.4 million people by 2031. That means more people and businesses will need water. Some municipalities such as Okotoks, Strathmore, High River, Turner Valley, Canmore, Nanton, and Black Diamond are junior license holders but need more water

Water for Rivers

There is mounting scientific evidence in the last thirty years that healthy rivers are vital to both people and wildlife. Healthy rivers provide ecological services to Albertans like clean water, flood control, recreation, and clean air. Meanwhile, 80 percent of the wildlife and 100 percent of all aquatic species in Alberta rely on the land next to rivers (also called the "green zone"). Healthy rivers need a certain amount of water to provide ecological services called instream flows. Instream flows are needed to resupply groundwater, naturally clean water, maintain fish populations, and support outdoor activities (such as canoeing). Scientific studies have concluded rivers require 80-92 percent of their natural mean flow to maintain ecological functions like fish habitat, filtering water, and providing habitat for other wild life . However, instream flows are not fully guaranteed under the current water rights system.

An Emerging Water Market

Today, there is a water market in southern Alberta where water rights can be bought and sold. Under this system, those who need water can purchase it from an existing water rights holder. This is especially relevant in southern Alberta where the provincial government stopped issuing water licenses in 2006 for the Bow, Oldman, and South Saskatchewan Rivers. This purchase of a water right is called a transfer. Today, this water transfer system includes a system of checks and balances to ensure government oversight and public input.

Climate Change

There is already evidence of the impact of climate change on our river systems. Climate change will result in less water and a drier climate in Alberta. With dwindling glaciers, less snow, and warmer weather, Alberta's overall water supply will decrease. For example, in the South Saskatchewan River Basin, some studies project the temperature in southern Alberta to increase from 1.5 C to 2.8 C, meaning that climate change could reduce the basin's availability of water by 546 million cubic metres .

Albertans are not guaranteed water and neither is the environment

Alberta law does not recognize a human right to water or make provisions to ensure that every current and future Albertan has access to basic human water needs. Alberta law does not guarantee the protection of instream flows. In a low water year, the environment is afforded little in the way of water flows.

How will the review occur?

In September 2008, Minister of the Environment Rob Renner announced a review of the entire water rights system. This will likely result in changes to Alberta's Water Act. According to the government, there will be opportunities for the public to learn more about this consultation process in the fall of 2009 and early 2010.

How does this affect me?

If you live in a new municipality, it could mean you pay more for your water. If you are an angler or canoe Alberta's rivers, the water you rely on for fishing or paddling could be reduced. New businesses will either have to pay for water (through purchasing a water license) or will have time getting water.