The Strategy: Achievements

 

Water for Life Progress Report: December 1, 2008 - March 31, 2011

The Water for Life Progress Report highlights a selection of the activities, programs, and tools being pursued under the Water for Life strategy within the timeframe of December 1, 2008 to March 31, 2011. The report does not attempt to list every activity occurring under the Water for Life strategy as the goal of managing and protecting water is made up of numerous small projects and many initiatives.

Each section of the report contains a selection of accomplishments and a featured story. A table outlining actions planned for the goal or key direction is also included.

  

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Water for Life Achievements 2003 - 2008

In 2008, Water for Life celebrated its fifth anniversary. The strategy has had a profound effect on how water policy and management decisions are made in Alberta. It has been instrumental in fostering public participation in water issues and continues to champion partnerships. The following are some of the projects, policies, and achievements completed since 2003 when Water for Life was introduced.

Drinking Water

  • Province-wide assessment of drinking water facilities
  • Development of on-line tools for drinking water (e.g. Regulated Drinking Water Quality site)
  • Over $400 million spent on regional drinking water systems

Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems

  • Comprehensive summary of current knowledge of Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems
  • Completion of recommendations by the Alberta Water Council  for one of Canada's most comprehensive wetland policy implementation plans

Reliable Quality Water Supplies for a sustainable economy

  • Cabinet approval of the South Saskatchewan River Basin water management plan creating a closure to new surface water licenses.  
  • Established the Alberta Water Use Reporting System

Knowledge and Research

  • Thirty million dollars investment in creation of Alberta Water Research Institute (AWRI) to support Water for Life research.
  • Established a groundwater mapping initiative

Partnerships

  • Creation of partnerships – Alberta Water Council (AWC), Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs), Watershed Stewardship Groups (WSGs).
  • Over 1000 new partners/sector members providing water policy advice and voluntary actions on watershed stewardship (Alberta Water Council, Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils, and Watershed Stewardship Groups).
  • Six WPACs have completed their State of the Watershed Report. (as of November 2010)
  • Six WPACS are working on or have partially completed Water Management Plans or Watershed Management Plans. (as of November 2010)
  • WSGs, municipalities, and stakeholder organizations have completed or are working on an additional 8 Watershed Management Plans, 10 State of the Watershed Reports and 3 Water Management Plans for their local areas. (as of November 2010)

Water Conservation

  • Agreement by seven major sectors to develop conservation, efficiency, and productivity plans.