Alberta’s relationship with water has changed over the past century and a half — not only how we use it, and how much of it we use, but also how it gets allocated.
As this year seems certain to bring worsening drought conditions, the laws, regulations and history of water in Alberta are increasingly relevant — and worth unpacking.
Who owns the water in Alberta?
The Water Act of 2000 states that all water in the province, as well as the right to its diversion and use, is vested in the Crown. This means that water can only be used with the permission
