Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is seeking proposals for two studies aimed at identifying potential future water shortages and establishing clearer priorities for water infrastructure investments across the province.
The initiative comes as population growth, economic expansion and increasing demand from the agricultural sector place greater importance on securing reliable water supplies. The studies will examine water availability in different river basins and help determine where additional storage and infrastructure may be needed.
According to the provincial government, the assessments are intended to strengthen long-term water planning, improve the evaluation of major infrastructure projects and provide a consistent basis for public funding decisions.
Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, said reliable information is essential to determining future water requirements and comparing proposed projects. He said the findings would help direct government investment towards initiatives that deliver benefits for communities, the economy and the environment.
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Tara Sawyer said dependable water access is particularly important for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. She noted that the studies would help identify opportunities to increase water storage and improve the delivery of water to agricultural producers and other users.
The first study, the Water Storage Needs Assessment, will examine existing and projected water supply and demand across Alberta’s individual river basins. It will consider population trends, economic development and changing water requirements to identify areas where demand could eventually exceed available supplies.
The assessment is expected to help officials identify regions that may require additional storage capacity or other infrastructure investments, allowing planning efforts to focus on areas facing the greatest potential shortages.
The second project, the Water Storage Cost-Benefit Review and Guidelines, will develop a standardized framework for evaluating proposed water storage and other water infrastructure projects.
Under the proposed approach, projects will be assessed using common criteria that consider their costs, benefits and broader implications. The framework is intended to help government compare proposals consistently and determine which initiatives should advance to further planning, review and potential construction.
The guidelines will also establish a shared basis for provincial ministries to set investment priorities and make funding decisions, improving consistency and transparency in the process.
The two studies will contribute to Alberta’s broader long-term water security planning, alongside its 100-year water security white paper. Together, these efforts are intended to provide a clearer picture of future water needs and support decisions that account for environmental protection, community requirements and economic development.
The government says the work will help Alberta prepare for changing water demands while supporting sustainable growth and the long-term needs of its agricultural industry.
