Amendments to the Water Act came into force on March 11, 2026. According to the Government of Alberta, the changes are intended to modernize the water management system by streamlining regulatory requirements, increasing transparency, and making it easier for Albertans to use and share water.
RMA participated in the Government of Alberta’s water availability engagement across 2024 and 2025. RMA highlighted concerns around expanding use of inter-basin transfers and merging the Peace-Slave and Athabasca river basins. These changes could impact municipal decision-making in areas such as water monitoring stations, funding allocations, or staff capacity to manage water allocation and usage.
To provide an opportunity to discuss the rationale behind these changes and to ask specific questions, Environment and Protected Areas staff will be hosting a webinar for RMA members on Friday, May 29 at 1:00PM. RMA encourages members to register for the webinar at this link.
Water management is increasingly a priority for rural municipalities, as reflected in resolutions 8-25S: Opposition to Water Act Amendments and Lack of Consultation and 7-24F: Improved Water License Approval and Compliance Processes. RMA will continue to monitor implementation of Water Act changes and seek opportunities to ensure the rural municipal perspective is considered in the development of regulations.
For more information on changes to the Water Act please visit: Smarter water management for Alberta’s future.
Briana Yee
Policy Advisor
825.319.2417
briana@RMAlberta.com
Warren Noga
Manager of Policy and Research
825.319.2285
warren@RMAlberta.com