Water act fact sheet temporary diversion of water albertas water act requires a licence be obtained before diverting and using surface water and groundwater. Albertas water sources include lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, glaciers, and groundwater, all of which are sustained by watersheds and recharge areas in an interconnected cycle. Royal bank of canada v hirsche herefords, 2012 abqb 32 this decision concludes that a provincial water licence can be contingently severed from the land or undertaking to which it is appurtenant by way of an agreement of sale and the subsequent registered transfer. Water act regional aquatics monitoring program ramp. Before diverting and using surface water and groundwater in alberta, a licence must be obtained under the provinces water act.
The government of alberta is now accepting applications electronically for the temporary diversion of water under the water act. Environment and waters regulatory approvals centre at rac. South saskatchewan river basin adaptation to climate variability. Albertas water act supports and promotes the allocation and conservation of water. Pdf, 76 kb water licence renewal project pdf, 74 kb additional information. The water act establishes that all water in the province is owned by the crown the provincial government, and establishes processes to allow others to use and disturb water by issuing approvals and licences. Each district holds water licences issued according to the provincial water act appendix. The water use licence process consist of 3 distinct processes, namely. This licencing can be achieved through a water use licence or general authorisation. For further information about the collection and use of this. Albertas water act supports and promotes the conservation and. Any person or company planning to undertake an activity that may affect the land or vegetation under or around a water body, or may affect the location, flow or quality of the water or aquatic environment, requires prior authorization and must submit a water act application or notice to alberta environment and parks or to the alberta energy regulator in accordance with the.
Alberta environment and sustainable resource development. For complete text of the legislation mentioned below, and the most current version of these water regulations, see queens printer. First nations, alberta seek compromise on water rights open this photo in gallery. Economic regulation authority water corporation, wl32, version 15, 19 july 2016 5 2. You can apply to use water for more than one water use purpose on your application. Brief history of water diversion in alberta north west irrigation act 1894 water resources act 1931 water act 1999 to divert water from a natural river, creek or slough need a water act licenceneed a water act licence a licence provides a right to divert water. The water use licence application, a document that contains all the completed licence application forms the dw forms, an copy of the receipt and other required documents title deeds. Unless noted, sources for information listed below. National water act, 1998 regulations regarding the procedural requirements for water use licence applications and appeals the minister of water and sanitation has, under section 261k and 416 of the national water act, 1998 act no. To view a specific authorization or approval under the water act or the environmental protection and enhancement act, and you already have identifying data for the authorization or approval, go to. An investigation into the administration of water licence. This guide explains when a water licence is needed and how to make a water licence application. We provide a market for holders and users of water license capacity and assist in the development of sustainable potable water and wastewater infrastructure to support environmentally responsible ventures.
A pipe from the small water treatment plant at ermineskin townsite in maskwacis, alberta on sunday, september 25. Code of practice notifications under the water act. The cost of applying for a wateruse licence varies widely depending on the specific nature of the water use. For further criteria explanation, please refer to the water act.
This twopage fact sheet provides an overview of eligible and noneligible water allocations for transfer, and the process for applying for a transfer. Authorizations issued under the water act or epea alberta. This application form is for activities regulated under the water act. The government of alberta has guidelines and legislation in place to ensure appropriate control and use of water. The nsw office of water is a separate office within the department of environment, climate change and water guidelines on applying for a water licence under the water act 1912 the following information outlines the steps involved in applying to nsw office of water for a new water act 1912. Alberta environment and parks, alberta water licence viewer gis web application. The aer has assumed responsibility for the water act in relation to energy development activitiesincluding application processes for the use of water licences and for activities that affect water. The licence identifies the water source, location of diversion site, volume, rate and timing of water to be diverted, priority of the water right established by the licence, and nay conditions the diversion must adhere to. Water use may be restricted to certain times of the year. This is public information, however, it is not the most current available in time due to reporting schedules. Geodiscover alberta provides enhanced details regarding albertas geospatial data. The alberta water tool gives you free access to the latest regional water information for every report you generate. The government of alberta has automated the decisionmaking for lowrisk tdl applications and streamlined the issuance of all tdls.
This geodiscover portal makes searching for authoritative mapping data easier. A water licence specifies the water source, the water use purpose, the maximum quantity of water that may be used, and the works associated with the water use, as well as where the water can be used. The severance of a water right from a purchase and sale of. Easytouse software that automates the administration and performance tracking for. This licence identifies the source of water supply, location of the diversion site, allocation of water allowed from the. Albertas water resource allocation and management system.
Refer to the act for commencement dates water use licence application and appeals regulations, 2017 government notice r267 in government gazette 407 dated. Water act approvals are required when an activity will impact a water body or when the works will divert and use surface or groundwater. The general rule is that you need a licence under the water act to divert or use any surface water or groundwater in alberta. The following section looks at how our water is governed providing information on water licences. There is no physical transfer of water from the land. The licence identifies the water source, location of diversion site, volume, rate and timing of water to be diverted, priority of the water right established by the licence. There are many points of legislation to consider and the following is a brief overview that highlights specific areas within water governance and legislation in alberta. For other questions of a regional nature such as water operations reports and water management plans we refer you to alberta environment regional services. For additional information on licensing under the water act, see the licenses fact sheet at. The water act provides for the transfer of an allocation of water held under a licence, from one parcel of land to another. Application for a water resources licence part a wr328 version 3, july 2016 page 1 of 4 application for a water resources licence part a. This application is to apply for a water licence for your existing nondomestic groundwater use, meaning your water use began before march 1, 2016. From organizing meet details to getting mobile meet results, solutions developed for meet hosts, by meet hosts.
In 2010, the athabasca river water management framework will be implemented to limit water withdrawal from the athabasca river during environmentally sensitive periods alberta environment, 2007a. For all water use licensing enquiries please contact kate langlands tel. Guidelines on applying for a water licence under the water. Search for water licences and registrations in southern alberta. These exemptions are described in further detail later on this fact sheet. Is the model coupled with any gis software and if so, which one. This framework is part of the water for life strategy, a. The authorization viewer allows you to check certain documents issued by alberta environment and parks aep. For example, water licence information is updated all the time, as is stream flow data. The following section looks at how our water is governed providing information on water licences, transfers and allocation.
Albertas rapid population growth, continued development. Suite, 250 5 street sw, calgary, alberta t2p 0r4 page. A water licence is an authority granted under the water act 2000 to. First nations, alberta seek compromise on water rights. A temporary diversion licence provides authority for diverting and using surface water or groundwater on a temporary basis up to a maximum period of one year. Review basic instructions on using the licence viewer pdf, 21 kb to accept terms and proceed, visit. This report is available and may be freely downloaded from the alberta water portal.
What responsibility does the aer have under the water act. Water resources act 1991 as amended by the water act 2003, environment act 1995, the water resources abstraction and impounding regulations 2006. Start your application please select one of the options below to start your application. You are legally required to apply by march 1, 2022, as per the water sustainability act wsa. The alberta water act governs how the province of alberta manages water. Source water is untreated water that is used to provide public drinking water, as well as to supply wells used for human consumption. The severance of a water right from a purchase and sale of land case commented on. Questions related to ice jamming and water mastering have been addressed by staff of alberta environment regional services. To make this more understandable and better managed, the national water act specifies 11 water uses, in section 21, that require licencing.
At the alberta water exchange awe we are dedicated to the most efficient and sustainable use of albertas water resources. Water licences, transfers, and allocation alberta waterportal. Application under the water act for approvals andor licences. We have a number of ongoing programs operating in the systems where well be renewing water licences and associated permits. The purpose of the act is to promote the conservation and management of water while recognizing the need for economic growth and prosperity and flexible management that works cooperatively with governments of. Alberta water licenses search, buy, sell, transfer. The national water act and subsequent licence requirements are applicable to all persons in south africa. Users and new registrants can access the site at the login button to the right. The water act was created in order to address the wise management and conservation of water resources according to todays pressures. Water use authorizations is required in terms of section 40 of the national water act. To view a specific authorization or approval under the water act or the environmental. Water licence application natural resource online services.
There are certain exceptions to this rule including exemptions for household purposes and agricultural use. Alberta s water act allows the transfer of the right to divert a volume of water from a source of water supply, under a certain priority. The nwa provides the department of water affairs and forestry dwaf with the. To divert and use surface or ground water in alberta requires a licence under the provinces water act. In 2005, alberta department of environment and sustainable resource development alberta environment implemented a moratorium on the issuance of new water licenses on rivers in the south saskatchewan river basin. The water act regulates water rights, activities that disturb water, and water planning and management in alberta. The water quality information on this website is collected by alberta environment and parks under regulatory requirements to operate a waterworks system. Click here to view the historical trend maps of water allocations in 1900. Alberta water exchange realized the role that water license capacity would play in the future economic growth of alberta.
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