Communities across the province are growing and Alberta’s economy is thriving. This has led to increased demand for water, particularly in southern Alberta, which can be prone to drought and water shortages. With groundwater a critical source of water in the region, there is a need to fill in gaps and better understand how much is available to support communities and businesses in the years ahead.
Alberta’s government is providing a $3.8-million grant to the Alberta Geological Survey to complete a three-year study mapping the quality, quantity and location of groundwater across southern Alberta. Better understanding this groundwater will help the province make the most out of every drop to support families, business, farmers and ranchers and the environment.
“With growing communities and a thriving economy driving increased demand for water in Alberta, it’s more important than ever that we ensure we have a good understanding of all our sources of water, including groundwater. The results of this study will help ensure we are effectively managing our groundwater and improving the drought resilience of our communities and economy.”
The Southern Alberta Groundwater Evaluation will provide important details on southern Alberta aquifers and provide important information to help regulatory decision makers and those who use groundwater, such as agricultural producers and rural communities. This information will produce better and faster regulatory decisions, and improve clarity and certainty for those applying to access groundwater.
“With a changing climate, growing population and economy, water availability is a critical issue, particularly in southern Alberta. Exploring groundwater offers potential to meet our growing water demands. This project aligns with groundwater projects supported by Alberta Innovates and will set a foundation for informed decision-making, ensuring sustainable use of and resiliency in Alberta’s groundwater resources.”
“Knowledge about the extent and availability and quality of groundwater is still rather limited in many regions of Alberta. This well-funded project in southern Alberta will greatly improve our understanding to what extent groundwater can serve as a potential source for drinking water, sustain agriculture, support industrial activities and maintain ecological balance.”
The three-year study includes new hydrogeological mapping and three-dimensional modelling of aquifers in the South Saskatchewan River and Milk River basins. The study will also better quantify the effects that additional groundwater use may have on surface water availability and connected ecosystems. Interactive data and groundwater maps will be published online once the study is complete.
Quick facts
- In 2023, 3.8 per cent of all water allocations licenced in Alberta were from groundwater sources.
- In the South Saskatchewan River Basin, which includes the Bow, Oldman, South Saskatchewan and Red Deer River sub-basins, groundwater made up just 1.7 per cent of all water allocations with almost two-thirds of groundwater allocations for agricultural or municipal purposes.
- More than 600,000 Albertans living in rural areas depend on groundwater as the source of their drinking water. Up to 1,250 cubic metres may be diverted annually for household use without obtaining a licence under the Water Act.
- Regional groundwater mapping was done in the 1960s through the 1980s with a focus on groundwater exploration. It was not designed specifically to support the allocation of groundwater resources.
- The Southern Alberta Groundwater Evaluation will be completed by 2027.