Understanding Alberta's Water License System: From First in Time to Negotiations

⚡️Alberta is facing severe drought fears, prompting negotiations with water license holders.

💨Alberta's water license system, called First in Time, was adopted from the United States in the 19th century.

🌌Settlers in Alberta could apply for the right to divert a defined volume of surface or groundwater for their own use.

🌊There are currently 25,000 water license holders in Alberta, licensing 9.5 billion cubic meters of water.

🌧In times of severe water shortage, lower priority license holders may be left without access to water.

What is Alberta's water license system?

—Alberta's water license system, called First in Time, was adopted from the United States in the 19th century. It grants control of water to settlers who can apply for the right to divert a defined volume of surface or groundwater for their own use.

How many water license holders are there in Alberta?

—There are currently 25,000 water license holders in Alberta, licensing 9.5 billion cubic meters of water.

What happens during water sharing negotiations?

—During water sharing negotiations, the province of Alberta and its largest water license holders discuss and agree on voluntary agreements to ensure fair access to water in times of scarcity. The negotiations aim to address concerns and establish a framework for water allocation.

What happens to lower priority license holders during a water shortage?

—In times of severe water shortage, lower priority license holders may be left without access to water. Senior water holders have a right to 100% of their license before the next most junior water holder can access any of their license.

Can the province unilaterally change license agreements?

—No, the province cannot unilaterally change license agreements. Any changes to these agreements require negotiations and agreement between the province and the water license holders.

00:01Alberta is entering into water sharing negotiations amid severe drought fears.

00:07Alberta's water license system, called First in Time, was adopted from the United States in the 19th century.

00:18Settlers in Alberta could apply for the right to divert a defined volume of surface or groundwater for their own use.

00:39Currently, there are 25,000 water license holders in Alberta, licensing 9.5 billion cubic meters of water.

00:53In times of severe water shortage, lower priority license holders may be left without access to water.

01:09The province cannot unilaterally change license agreements and negotiations are necessary.

01:13Similar discussions happened in 2001 during a water shortage in the South Saskatchewan River system.

01:27The province aims to have voluntary agreements in place for each subbasin by the end of March.