Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The Alberta government is expanding Water Act exemptions to make storing and using water easier for stakeholders.
The new and expanded exemptions will “increase water availability, improve conservation, support agricultural production and help protect communities from future emergencies,” an Alberta government release said.
“Albertans asked for practical improvements to make more water available, and we’re delivering. These changes make it easier for farmers, businesses and communities to access and store water. It’s good for communities, the environment and the economy,” provincial minister of environment and protected areas Grant Hunter said.
“Reliable access to water is essential for Alberta’s farmers and ranchers, especially as they manage drought risk and plan for the future. These practical changes respond directly to what producers and rural communities have been asking for – making it easier to store and use water responsibly so agricultural operations can remain strong, resilient and productive,” provincial minister of agriculture and irrigation R.J. Sigurson added.
Dugouts currently have a 2,500 cubic metre exemption limit to capture available water. Under the new limit effective immediately farmers and ranchers can fill their dugouts up to 7,500 cubic metres, provide the water is used for agricultural purposes.
Under the new exemptions a newly constructed wetland will also be able to capture and fill with up to 7,500 cubic metres of local surface runoff per year, the release said, “a 1,250 cubic metre increase from the previous limit, supporting more wetlands across the province.”
Other changes include easing up the ability to use water for bridge, sign washing and dust control, supplying water to a temporary work camp and accessing water from borrow pits on unoccupied public land in the Green Area.
Other recent changes include passing the Water Amendment Act which removes the requirement for riparian restoration projects to get a temporary diversion licence for watering plants, the release said, while also ending 10 per cent holdbacks on most water licence transfers.
