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Drought – How you can help

Review tips and strategies on how to conserve water both indoors and outdoors.

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Drought

Water conservation: What you can do

Person's hand dipping in water in a blue rain barrel on green grass

All Albertans are asked to consider ways to use water wisely. Conserving water is always a good habit and it can help your community, as well as Albertans downstream from you.

If looking for ways to save water, there are small steps that everyone can take. Learn more about water conservation or get ideas for ways to save from the tips below.

Indoor water conservation tips

Blue icon outline of a clock

Take shorter showers. Reducing shower time by 5 minutes will save about 100 litres of water per day.

Toothbrush icon

Turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving. Turning off the water when brushing your teeth can save about 32 litres per person, per day.

Blue icon outline of a water faucet with a water drop

Fix leaks, including leaky toilets and faucets. This can reduce water use by up to 10%.

Blue icon outline of a dish soap bottle and clean dish with stars

Fill the sink instead of letting the water run when washing dishes.

Blue icon outline of a water pitcher

Keep a jug of cool water in the fridge instead of running the tap.

Blue icon outline of a washing machine

Use dishwashers and washing machines with full loads only.

Dishwasher icon

Invest in modern, high-efficiency appliances that are more energy and water efficient. For example, new front-load washing machines use about 50% less water than older top-load units.

Outdoor water conservation tips in spring and summer

Blue icon outline of a water sprinkler

Water your lawn no more than necessary. Also, keeping your grass a bit taller (5 to 7 cm) will help shade the soil and allow better moisture retention. 

Blue icon outline of an alarm clock

If allowed, water sparingly in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation.

Blue icon outline of a hose watering a plant

Collect and reuse water for outdoor plant use.

Blue icon outline of a dustpan

Clean outside with a broom instead of a hose.

Blue icon outline of a water pipe with a crack leaking water drops into a puddle

Check for leaks in outdoor pipes, faucets, and hoses.

Blue icon outline of a plant with two leaves in the dirt

Plant drought tolerant vegetation and add mulch to help reduce evaporation and keep more moisture in your soil.

Blue icon outline of a ladder and waves

Use a water-saving pool filter.

Local restrictions on water use (Updated April 26, 2024)

Some municipalities in Alberta have put voluntary or mandatory water use restrictions in place as part of a drought response or water conservation plan. This is not an exhaustive list and you should check with your municipality or local water supplier for the latest information on restrictions in your area.

  • Red Deer, Battle and North Saskatchewan River Basins

    City of Brooks: City councillors discussed options for managing drought at town committee meeting and at this time, are considering all options including rationing (April 23, 2024).

    City of Lacombe: Encouraging residents and businesses to conserve water and treat it as a precious resource. Developing a four-stage water conservation plan (April 24, 2024).

    City of Lloydminster: Announced suggested times for outdoor watering (November 15, 2022). 

    City of Red Deer: Summer (May to September) Watering Restrictions Bylaw in place (March 1, 2024). 

    Mountain View Regional Water Commission (Bowden, Carstairs, Crossfield, Didsbury, Innisfail and Olds): Announced plans to develop an overarching water conservation plan (April 24, 2024).

    Town of Bashaw: Discussed water conservation at town council meeting (April 10, 2024). Water and Wastewater Bylaw encourages water conservation (September 16, 2024).

    Town of Daysland: Permanent watering regulations in effect (September 16, 2014).

    Town of Drayton Valley: Water Restriction Policy in place, but currently not in any stage of the policy (January 2024).

    Town of Innisfail: Announced the development of a drought management plan is underway (April 24, 2024). Summer (May to September) watering restrictions in place (October 13, 2022). 

    Town of Olds: Passed Water Conservation Bylaw with four stages of restrictions. None are currently in effect, but the town is encouraging residents to reduce water use (April 22, 2024).

    Town of Rocky Mountain House: Announced the development of a Water Shortage Response Plan being brought to town council on June 11, 2024 (April 17, 2024).

    Town of Sylvan Lake: Summer (April to October) mandatory water conservation in effect (March 27, 2024).

    Town of Viking: Announced the construction of a seasonal filtered raw water pumping station in anticipation of drought conditions (February 21, 2024).

    Village of Delburne: Summer (May to September) water conservation watering cycle in effect (February 22, 2022).

  • Bow River Basin

    City of Airdrie: Announced an updated Water Conservation, Efficiency and Productivity Plan. Amendments made to Conservation Waster Use Schedule under the Waterworks Bylaw (April 18, 2024). Released drought preparedness plans urging residents to conserve water (March 1, 2024).

    City of Calgary: Announced they will be implementing a Water Reductions Advisory this spring asking residents to reduce their water use (April 19, 2024).

    City of Chestermere: Advised residents that water restrictions could come early this year (March 13, 2024).

    Town of Cochrane: Approved amendments to Water Utility Bylaw that support the town’s ongoing water sustainability plan (March 25, 2024).

    Town of Crossfield: See Mountain View Regional Water Commission under Red Deer, Battle and North Saskatchewan River Basins Municipal Water Restrictions Summary.

    Town of Diamond Valley: Water Use and Conservation Bylaw in place (June 7, 2023).

    Town of High River: Approved new Outdoor Water Use and Restriction Bylaw (April 10, 2024). Water Conservation Level 2 (specific outdoor watering days enforced) in place (July 1, 2023). 

    Town of Okotoks: Water Bylaw in place with permanent outdoor watering schedule (March 25, 2024). 

    Town of Strathmore: Outdoor water restrictions in place from May 1 to October 31 (August 2023). 
     

  • Milk, Oldman and South Saskatchewan River Basins

    City of Lethbridge: City Council approved a water conservation plan and strategy. City administration is drafting an amending bylaw to the town’s Water Bylaw that corresponds with the plan and strategy. Announced the city may move into Stage 1 of their drought action plan as early as May 15 (April 23, 2024).

    City of Medicine Hat: Phase 1 (voluntary water conservation) in place (August 28, 2023).

    Crowsnest Pass: Summer (May to August) Watering Restrictions Bylaw in place (April 25, 2023).

    MD of Pincher Creek: Extreme water restriction issued August 16, 2023.

    Town of Cardston: Announced water restrictions may be implemented when EPA’s water supply outlook shows that the lower value of the “probable range as a percent of average (%avg)” of the water supply for the southern tributaries is less than 70% (week of April 22, 2024).

    Town of Claresholm: Stage 3 Water Restrictions remain in effect (July 21, 2023).

    Town of Fort Macleod: Seasonal (when outdoor watering is viable) Watering Restrictions Bylaw in place (1980).

    Town of Milk River: Water Conservation Bylaw in place (December 2023).

    Town of Nanton: Asked residents to review the town’s Water Conservation Plan (April 5, 2024). Advised residents to expect and prepare for Level 2 or 3 Water Restrictions this spring, summer and fall (January 24, 2024). Water conservation strategy in place to limit lawn watering (August 17, 2023).

    Town of Pincher Creek: Moved from Stage 2 water restriction to Stage 1 voluntary water conservation. No mandatory restrictions in place, however community members are requested to reduce water consumption and use discretion in activities that may require water (April 24, 2024)

    Town of Raymond: Stated they are on drought alert, but not enacting restrictions at this time (March 23, 2024).

    Town of Redcliff: Wrote letter to residents asking them to voluntarily reduce their water consumption (April 18, 2024). Advised residents to expect and prepare for water restrictions in the near future (March 18, 2024).

    Town of Stavely: Asked residents to review and consider ways to conserve water (April 22, 2024).

    Town of Taber: Asked residents to support in reducing water usage (March 24, 2024).

    Village of Cowley: Extreme water restriction issued August 16, 2023.

Resources

Contact

Connect with Environment and Protected Areas’ Outreach Services:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 310-3773 (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

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