Province says changes to Water Amendment Act reduce red tape, improve transparency

By medicinehatnews on March 12, 2026.

The Water Amendment Act came into effect Wednesday, altering how Albertans can access and share the precious resource.

Passed in the fall session of the legislature, the act aims to modernize rules and processes associated with the Water Act, reduce red tape and improve transparency without sacrificing the strong environmental protections that Albertans expect, says Alberta’s government.

Changes allow farmers, ranchers and other licence holders to easily amend licences and consolidate allocations under a single licence, making it simpler to adapt to conditions on the ground.

“For too long we’ve put up with outdated and unnecessary rules that no longer make sense. Starting today, Alberta’s water management system is more practical and modern, with less red tape to slow down the good work of Albertans,” said Minister for Environment and Protected Areas Grant Hunter. “I’d like to thank the previous minister, Rebecca Schulz, for leading this transition and doing so much work to get us to this point.”

A new category of lower risk inter-basin transfers can be approved through a ministerial order due to the changes. Previously, all transfers required a special act of the legislature, something unique to Alberta, says the province.

Amendments will now allow the government to set consistent measurement and reporting expectations for all licence holders, with requirements for measuring and reporting water use to be informed through upcoming discussions with water licence holders.

Alberta’s government will also develop policy to establish how any prices paid for water as part of a licence transfer will be reported in the future.

The changes also enable communities and others to collect rainwater from rooftops and reuse wastewater.

“Defining rainwater and considering water recycling and reuse are important to our operations. At Big Marble Farms, we are always growing fresh, local vegetables year-round, and to remain competitive we must use all resources efficiently,” said Big Marble Farms CEO Ryan Kramer.

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