Province Information - Alberta, Canada

Alberta, of all the Canadian provinces and territories, is reaching or has reached limits for allocating water in some of their major basins (e.g., the South Saskatchewan River Basin).  Several years of drought coupled with a growing population and economy drove the Alberta government to release a water strategy in 2003.  The strategy, “Water For Life”, was reviewed and updated in 2008, and the action plan is forthcoming 2009. The Government of Alberta is also actively reviewing Alberta's water allocation system and water markets for potential adoption in Alberta.

1. What provincial ministry, department or agencies are in charge of water conservation/efficiency?

Alberta Environnent

Alberta Environment is responsible for administering the Water Act and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.  It is the primary department leading the “Water for Life” implementation and regulates municipal drinking water.

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2. Does the province require preparation of drought emergency plans by water utilities or cities on any prescribed schedule?
No.
3. Does the province have a mandatory planning requirement for drinking water conservation separate from drought emergency plans?

No
Additional Information:

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4. Does the province require implementation of conservation measures as well as preparation of plans?
No

Additional Information:

The Alberta Water Council (AWC) is a multi-stakeholder partnership created to monitor and steward the “Water for Life Strategy” strategy.  Through a series of project teams, the AWC has defined the terms water “conservation”, “efficiency” and “productivity” (CEP) and has created a framework and Annotated Table of Contents for sectors to use to develop their CEP plans.  These plans are currently being developed for both the municipal and agricultural irrigation sectors. In addition to those two sectors, the AWC has identified five other sectors (chemical and petrochemical, forestry, mining/oilsands, oil and gas, and power generation) to develop sector CEP plans.  All of these sectors have begun work on their plans.  Plans will be initially reviewed by the AWC and in 2012 they will be reviewed to determine how they contribute to Water for Life goals.


5. Does the province have the authority to approve or reject the conservation plans?

plan completeness?

No

satisfactory content?

No

Additional Information:

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6. Does the province have minimum water efficiency standards more stringent than federal or national requirements?
No

The Alberta government has adopted the 2005 National model plumbing code. 

The National Building Code of Canada is the model building code of Canada. It is issued by the Institute for Research and Construction (IRC), a part of the National Research Council of Canada. As a model code, it has no legal status until it is adopted by a jurisdiction that regulates construction. The Provinces and Territories of Canada are allowed to adopt parts or all of the code and to alter the code as they see fit.

The National Building Code is currently undergoing revisions and a proposal was made in 2008 to update the Non-potable Water Systems section 2.7.4 to include design requirements in accordance with CSA B128.1 and to limit use of non-potable water to water closets (toilets), urinals, and directly connected underground irrigation systems.

As of 2005 the National Plumbing Code does not explicitly mandate water efficient fixtures with a required maximum flush volume for toilets, or maximum flow rates for showerheads or faucets – instead it references the ASME A112.18.1-2005 / CSA B125.1-2005 standards which dictate maximum flush volumes of 13.2 litres, maximum flow rates of 8.3 litres per minute (Lpm) for lavatory and kitchen faucets, and 9.5 Lpm for showerheads. The National Plumbing Code currently allows non-potable sources to be used with dual plumbing systems within the home for fixtures other than sinks and faucets, and rainwater to be used for underground irrigation.

7. Does the province regulate drinking water supplies and require conservation as part of its permitting process or water right permit?
Yes

The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act regulates municipal drinking water systems, their operator certification, water source protection, and compliance. In certain cases (farms, and others) drinking water is monitored by Regional Health Authorities and Alberta Health and Wellness, with the exception of First Nations, which come under federal jurisdiction.

The Government does use a multibarrier approach and released, in May of 2009, “Alberta Environment's Drinking Water Program: A Source to Tap, Multibarrier Approach” which outlines the regulatory framework for Alberta's drinking water.

The Government of Alberta does NOT require conservation as part of its permitting process or water right permit.

Alberta uses the priority system for allocating water (first in time, first in right (FITFIR)).  Licenses are issued for both surface and groundwater.  Traditional household and traditional agricultural uses are exempt from licence requirements.  The South Saskatchewan River water management plan, approved by Cabinet, recommended that surface water licences no longer be issued in that basin but that waater rights can be transferred.  The SSRB water management plan is available online here. 

CEP plans are not currently mandated under the Water Act, however the Government of Alberta (in its assurance role) can require plans be developed and implemented through water licence conditions. Section 38(3) of Alberta's Water Act says, "The Director may issue an approval subject to any terms and conditions that the Director considers appropriate" – thus giving broad powers to the Director.
It has not been done often, but it can occur where a situation warrants the approval holder to take actions to improve their conservation efforts.


8. Does the province support water conservation under its Drinking Water or Wastewater infrastructure funding programs?

Drinking Water?

No

Waste Water?

No

Additional Information:

Canada does not have a revolving fund for infrastructure loans. Federally, the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) provides grants for up to 50% of project costs, or below-market, low interest loans of up to 80% of project costs. FCM is an advocacy organization; however the Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the GMF program.

The GMF has funded conservation projects in the past that included feasibility studies of water conservation programs, water distribution system leak detection and control projects, plumbing retrofit programs, wastewater recycling, and sustainable community plans involving water conservation. At this time, the funding focus is on wastewater.

The Building Canada plan is the primary mechanism in Canada for funding water and wastewater infrastructure, and encompasses a number of funds including provincial and municipal base funding, gas tax funds, and the Building Canada fund. Over half of the funding under the Building Canada plan is provided as base funding to municipalities, and the funds are generally administered by the provinces. The Building Canada fund promotes long-term funding of water infrastructure projects, including projects designed to improve conservation of water. Funding focuses on improved treatment standards that emphasize the protection of human health. The projects are required to be supported by measures that improve the management of sources of drinking water, reduce demand, and improve the management of drinking water infrastructure.

All projects are cost shared, generally in equal thirds between federal/provincial/municipal governments. The Building Canada fund operates through two components: the Major Infrastructure Component (MIC) that targets large strategic projects of national and regional significance, and the Communities Component that focuses on projects in communities with populations of less than 100,000.

To date, funded projects have focused on centralized infrastructure as opposed to conservation efforts, with the exception of metering. Capital cost funding projects must result in a tangible capital asset. Planning costs are also eligible, which could potentially support the development of water conservation plans.


9. Does the province offer other financial assistance? Environmental grants? Rebates? Tax Exemptions?
No.
10. Does the province offer direct or indirect technical assistance to the public?

Alberta Water Council has a project team working with the major water using sectors committed to developing Conservation and Efficiency Productivity (CEP) Plans.

Water Strategy Economic Instruments Team - a cross-ministry team representing AENV, Energy, and Agriculture is exploring opportunities as well as building foundational information for developing and implementing market-based instruments (MBI’s).  Current work includes completion of a ‘Water Measurement Guidebook” to assist un-metered users to measure their water use and improve reporting through Alberta Environment’s online Water Use Reporting system.  Preliminary work has been undertaken to improve ability to increase ‘water allocation transfers’ in the South Saskatchewan River basin. 

Water Measurement Guidebook 

Staff from AENV, Health and Wellness and Municipal Affairs are working on development of a guideline/policy for the reuse of residential ‘greywater’ (under development). 

Electronic Water Use Reporting (WUR) System (ongoing) – an online reporting system for use by licence holders to report their water use.  This system is operational and is being used by large licence holders.  Participation has not been as robust as hoped, however, efforts are underway to increase reporting. 

Alberta Environment Drinking Water group does hold "full cost accounting" workshops for municipalities and municipal water utilities.

11. Does the province provide provincial ET microclimate information?
No.
12. Does the province have a water conservation and efficiency strategy?
No


Additional Information:

13. Does the province have standards for alternative water sources?
No



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