The fill station at Viking features a measurement tracking system for selling raw water.

Viking turns on the taps of new water initiative

Farmers around Viking to enjoy raw filtered watering system

Reading Time: 3 minutes The town of Viking in central Alberta is ready if Mother Nature turns off the tap again in 2024.  This time, if drought rears its ugly head, local farmers can use a new raw water pumping station built within the town’s existing infrastructure.  Viking celebrated its new layer of drought protection during a grand opening […] Read more

The Athabasca River in Jasper National Park.

Alberta to study snowpack with more accuracy

LiDAR employed to provide more spatially precise data

Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – The Government of Alberta is working with a research team at the University of Lethbridge to measure the snowpack in southern Alberta more accurately, according to a news release. The measurements will help guide water management policies and practices as the province works to better manage its water resources. For seven months […] Read more


Water law professor David Percy says a culture of negotiation has taken the edge off the "first in time, first in right" principle that guides water rights in Alberta.

Alberta boosts irrigation spending for 2024

Irrigation districts get $5.5M bonus to update infrastructure

Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta is increasing the amount it spends on irrigation infrastructure in 2024. The provincial government is boosting its portion of the annual irrigation rehabilitation program this year by providing $19 million — an increase of $5.5 million over 2023. It’s meant to help irrigation districts (IDs) update water infrastructure and allow them to do more […] Read more

In early December, the Saskatchewan River was at its second lowest level in the past 23 years.   Photo: Alex McCuaig

Can high water use affect consumer food choices?

Not yet, but ag should be prepared if it someday does, says Alberta agricultural economist

Reading Time: 4 minutes The agriculture industry in Alberta uses a lot of water. According to provincial licence data interpreted by CBC, Albertans can expect 68 per cent of all water allocations in 2024 to be dedicated to agriculture; far ahead of industrial (22 per cent) and municipal (seven per cent) categories. For the time being, Alberta consumers seem […] Read more


Mountain View County landowners say industrial overuse of water hurts area

Mountain View County landowners say industrial overuse of water hurts area

Gravel pit mining among key concerns as area residence report water quality issues

Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s a tale of landowners versus industrial development. Landowners and concerned citizens from the South McDougal Flats area spoke recently at a hearing about the area structure plan for their region. Neil Konner, who owns land in the area, said many people in Mountain View County are concerned about the use of water, specifically in […] Read more

Alberta government seeks water supply insight

Alberta government seeks water supply insight

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta government is issuing a request for proposal to help conduct modelling throughout the winter and to work with municipalities, water users, industry and others to explore ways to maximize the province’s water supply, if needed. Along with the request, government officials are meeting with municipalities, water users, farmers, industry and others to share […] Read more