Water Licence Requirements Altered to Assist Riparian Restoration

The Government of Alberta has removed the requirement for a temporary diversion licence to water plants as part of a riparian restoration project, cutting costs and saving time to help keep plants alive.

Up until now, a licence has been required in Alberta to water newly planted trees, shrubs, grasses, and other vegetation along rivers, creeks, and lakes. In instances where a licence could not be obtained due to bureaucratic delays, water shortages or drought conditions in the area, otherwise healthy plants could die due to lack of water.

Riparian restoration projects are essential for expanding, repairing, and rejuvenating Alberta's ecosystems near water bodies. The temporary diversion licence requirement made this important work more difficult, adding additional costs and delaying projects, and, in situations where a licence could not be obtained, creating the added burden of trucking in water so plants would not die. 

In addition to the removal of the temporary diversion licence requirement, there are also new industry-led technologies, such as solar-powered drip systems, that make watering more efficient than ever and reduce the amount of water needed overall.

To learn more, visit the Government of Alberta website.