Friday, October 9, 2026
Alberta’s government is seeking proposals for two studies to identify where the province may face future water shortages and to guide investment in major water infrastructure.
The province said the work is intended to strengthen long-term water planning, establish clearer priorities and support more transparent funding decisions as water needs vary across Alberta’s river basins.
“Good decisions start with good information,” Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter said in a news release. “These studies will identify future water needs, provide a consistent way to compare projects and help direct public dollars toward investments that most benefit communities, the economy and environment.”
The Water Storage Needs Assessment will examine current and future water demand and supply alongside population and economic growth in each basin, identifying areas where demand could outpace supply. The government said the findings will help focus planning and investment where future needs are greatest.
The second study, the Water Storage Cost-Benefit Review and Guidelines, will create common criteria for assessing water storage and other water infrastructure. The province said the approach will allow it to compare projects fairly, weigh costs and benefits and decide which should advance to the next stages of planning, review and construction, and will give ministries a common standard for setting investment and funding priorities.
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Tara Sawyer said reliable water access is central to rural prosperity.
“These studies will provide the insights we need to expand water storage capacity and build infrastructure to deliver water reliably to Albertans when they need it the most,” Sawyer said in the release. “By planning today, we can work toward ensuring our agricultural producers have the dependable water supply they need to thrive.”
The two studies are to be completed alongside a 100-year water security white paper, which the province said will give Alberta the information and tools to plan for future water needs and balance environmental, social and economic factors.
Proposals for the water storage needs assessment will be accepted until Oct. 14, and the study is to be completed by April 2027. Proposals for the cost-benefit assessment guidelines will be accepted until Oct. 21, with that study to be completed by June 2027.
Featured image: (Government of Alberta)
