Water for Life strategy

Overview

Water is not only a resource, it is a life source. We all share the responsibility to ensure a healthy, secure and sustainable water supply for our communities, environment and economy.

The Water for Life strategy outlines the Government of Alberta's commitments to manage and safeguard Alberta's water resources. The strategy has been the vehicle for managing Alberta's water resources since its release in 2003.

Renewed strategy

Released in 2008, the renewed Water for Life strategy better reflects the population increase and economic growth Alberta has seen over the past years, and Albertans’ changing water needs. As in the original, the renewed strategy has 3 main goals:

• safe, secure drinking water supply
• healthy aquatic ecosystems`
• reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy

These goals will be met through 3 key directions:

• knowledge and research
• partnerships
• water conservation

For more details, read the Water for Life fact sheet.

Action plan

Water for Life goals and key directions will be achieved through the Water for Life action plan, which is designed to ensure achievable and timely outcomes that reflect growing pressures on our province’s water supplies.

Progress report

• Water for Life: Progress Report (December 1, 2008 to March 31, 2011)

Water Conversation

Building on work guided by the Water for Life strategy, the Government of Alberta held the Water Conversation in 2013 to engage Albertans about our province’s water resources with a focus on 4 priority areas:

• healthy lakes
• hydraulic fracturing and water
• drinking water and wastewater systems
• water management

The input gathered was compiled into a Summary of Discussions report, leading to the creation of Our Water, Our Future: A Plan for Action, which identifies a number of short-term and long-term strategic actions.

While the short-term actions are designed to respond to immediate priorities identified by Albertans, the long-term actions will inform the renewal of our Water for Life action plan, helping align the Government of Alberta's water priorities and initiatives.