Drought Response

Water connects us all. It's a shared resource that demands a shared responsibility. We work across municipalities, rural areas, and various sectors to develop collaborative strategies that ensure our water's sustainability for generations to come. 

Rocky View County Water Systems 

Several communities have water systems operated by Rocky View County. If the County needs to change our level of conservation the following communitites could be affected: 

  • Cochrane Lake (Monterra) 
  • Watermark 
  • Lynx Ridge (customers inside Calgary city limits) 
  • Bragg Creek/Elkana/Wintergreen 
  • Cambridge Estates/Prince of Peace 

If you live in a community that receives water from a co-op or other provider, follow their direction. Rural residents with wells manage their own water consumption and are also encouraged to conserve, as aquifers can run dry. 

Water Advisories 

If water sources are reaching concerning levels, the local and provincial governments can set water restrictions to help conserve water.

The County has developed a plan in response to water restrictions, outlining actions to be followed by residents served by water systems owned and controlled by Rocky View County.

If the County needs to move into a different Level, residents in the areas in which Rocky View County owns and operates systems will be notified directly.

Rocky View County Water Shortage Plan 

Rocky View County faces unique challenges in managing water resources due to its diverse landscape and population demands. The County's Water Shortage Plan (WSP) has been developed to address potential drought conditions and ensure sustainable water usage across the County. This plan specifically targets residential outdoor irrigation on County- owned systems, which significantly impacts water reserves and operations during dry spells and outlines a series of escalating restrictions tailored to the severity of water scarcity. Read the plan.

These levels dictate a watering schedule. Please note the days of the week for watering if levels change.  

  • Level 1 = watering 3 days per week 
  • Level 2 = outdoor watering 1 day per week 
  • Level 3 = no outdoor watering permitted  

Level 0: Normal operations. Water production can meet demand on a regular basis.   

In this stage, Rocky View County shall continue to monitor drought conditions, weather patterns, and remain aware of any potential condition or event that may result in a water shortage. The County will notify residents of water shortage restrictions, and implement subsequent Level(s) of Water Shortage (Stages) as necessary based on potential or actual risk and impact. 

Level 1: Conservation practices are required in response to drought risk and/or operational conditions.

In this stage, residential potable customers will be required to follow an outdoor water use schedule, based on address number. Automatic irrigation system timers must run between midnight and 6 a.m. on your designated days. Manual sprinklers must be operated between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight on your designated days. Discretionary (outdoor) water use days under Level 1 restrictions are as follows: 

  • Even numbered properties: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays  
  • Odd numbered properties: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays  

Outdoor hand watering may occur outside set hours on your watering days.  

Watering new grass, shrubs and trees are exempt from this outdoor water use schedule. County water management efforts will focus on communicating conservation messages to residents through our website, social media channels, road signs and advertising. The County will monitor drought conditions to determine if further action is required. 

Level 2: Enhanced drought risk due to environmental conditions resulting in further restrictions to water use.

In this stage, scheduled outdoor water use will be restricted to one day a week. As in Level 1, automatic irrigation system timers must run between midnight and 6 a.m. and manual sprinklers must be operated between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight. Discretionary (outdoor) water use days under Level 2 restrictions are as follows: 

  • Even numbered properties: Wednesdays  
  • Odd numbered properties: Thursdays  

Outdoor hand watering may occur outside set hours on your watering day or on the weekend. Bylaw Officers will issue warnings to customers found to be using water outside of allowed hours or for prohibited activities. 

County water management efforts will focus on communicating conservation messages to residents through our website, social media channels, road signs and advertising. The County will monitor drought conditions to determine if further action is required. 

Level 3: Water production must be dedicated to maintaining minimum fire protection volumes and supply for basic human consumption

A response in this stage will consist of a full outdoor water ban for all residential customers. All users will be requested to limit discretionary use of water. Public notification messages will be updated and issued using several forms of conventional media to ensure messaging is delivered to all residents. The County will advise commercial customers to reduce daily consumption and will escalate Bylaw enforcement on customers using water for discretionary purposes.

What Rocky View County will do in each stage: 

  • Level 1: May cease operations using water, including but not limited to irrigation, hydrant flushing, and fountain operation 
  • Level 2: Cease operations using water, including but not limited to irrigation, hydrant flushing, and fountain operation 
  • Level 3: County operations which require potable water for discretionary uses will remain closed 

Water Conservation 

What can you do now to conserve water:

  • Outdoor watering should be done in the early morning or later evening to avoid excessive evaporation 
  • Collect rain 
  • Clean your driveway and sidewalks with a broom not a hose 
  • Put mulch around your plants as it holds in water 
  • Use a shut off nozzle on your hoses 
  • Check for leaking taps/faucets 
  • Raise your lawn mower blades to not cut grass too short 
  • Create a schedule to water your plants and grass 
  • Add Rain sensors on your sprinkler systems 
  • Buy drought resistant plants 
  • Limit how often you wash your car or wash it on your grass to water your lawn 
  • Run full loads of laundry and dishes 
  • Avoid refilling pools and hot tubs unnecessarily 
  • Shut the water off when brushing your teeth or shaving 
  • Dump unfinished drinking water into your plants 
  • Take shortage showers 
  • Consider landscaping or gardening in a way that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation – a process known as Xeriscaping   

FAQs 

What will trigger a water shortage? 

The following criteria and scenarios will trigger a Water Shortage Event:  

  • Provincial advisory 
  • Regional partner implementation  
  • Bow River water flow level as modelled by the Alberta Government  
  • Elbow River water flow level as modelled by the Alberta Government  
  • Minimum fire protection storage  
  • Western Irrigation District (WID) conveyance restrictions 

If there is an advisory how will it be enforced? 

It is important to understand water plan levels advance, the County can implement fines through the Municipal Government Act/RSA 2000 cW-3 and in accordance with the Water & Wastewater Utilities Bylaw/C7662-2017. 

Other Communities in Rocky View County 

There are a number of communities in the County that receive water from different companies. Residents are asked to follow the direction from their specific water provider.  

Contact

403-230-1401
utilities@rockyview.ca

Quick Links

Water Allocation Licences

Water licences and traditional agricultural registrations are managed and issued by Alberta Environment and Parks. Licence and registration information.