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Part of Water legislation and resources

Temporary Diversion Licence

Information about the application process for a Temporary Diversion Licence under the Alberta Water Act.

Important notices

Temporary Diversion Licences and riparian restoration projects

A Temporary Diversion Licence is no longer required for consuming or diverting less than 100 cubic metres of water per day to support the growth and establishment of plant species along a watercourse or water body.

To provide small riparian restoration projects with the water they need to successfully establish, the Government of Alberta is removing the regulatory requirement for a Temporary Diversion Licence. In most areas, 100 cubic metres of water per day is a small amount, with negligible effects on the aquatic environment or other water users. Larger riparian restoration projects that consume or divert more than 100 cubic metres of water per day will still require a licence.

For more information on temporary water diversions and Temporary Diversion Licences, see the factsheet:

Alberta Energy Regulator – Temporary Diversion Licence applications submitted through OneStop

In May 2025, the Alberta Energy Regulator discontinued the Water Act Temporary Diversion Licence Electronic Review System (WATERS). Applications for energy resource-related Temporary Diversion Licences regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator are now submitted through OneStop.

See Water Licence Application Processing in OneStop for more information.

Apply for a licence

Licences regulated by the Alberta government

Applications for all Water Act licences regulated by the Alberta government, including Temporary Diversion Licences, must be submitted through the Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS). DRAS is an online system that identifies regulatory requirements and supports management of the lifecycle of a project or process from application to closure.

Learn more about DRAS and how to apply for a groundwater Temporary Diversion Licence.

For more information on temporary water diversions and Temporary Diversion Licences, see the factsheet - Water Act: Temporary water diversions.

Alberta.ca Account requirements

For businesses: Businesses (legal entities) submitting an application for a Temporary Diversion Licence (or other Water Act licence) in DRAS require an Alberta.ca Account for Organizations.

For individuals: Individuals submitting an application for a Temporary Diversion Licence (or other Water Act licence) require an Alberta.ca Account.

With a DRAS account, licence holders can:

  • use the DRAS dashboard to access licence information, track the status of applications and receive notifications/email reminders
  • assign a representative and delegate access to DRAS to another person to apply for new water licences or submit water use reports on your (or the business’s) behalf

Licences regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator

Applications for energy resource-related Temporary Diversion Licences regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator are made in OneStop.

General information

For more information on Temporary Diversion Licences, see the fact sheet:

Red Deer River Tributary

These 2 files complement the Red Deer River Basin Temporary Diversion Licence Schedules and provide important website address locations that Temporary Diversion Licence holders may rely upon to comply with their licensing conditions.

View current water restrictions in the province

Before submitting a Temporary Diversion Licence application, you can use the Water Restriction Map to see whether your proposed water source is closed or if it will be subject to review by an approval coordinator.

Contact

Connect for more information about the application process for a Temporary Diversion Licence under the Alberta Water Act:

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-6311
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Alberta Energy Regulator
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected] (for energy-related inquiries)