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By Justin Goulet

Alberta asking water license users to switch to online service

Mar 7, 2024 | 11:36 AM

The Alberta government is asking water license users to move their license online.

Officials said there are roughly 25,000 water licenses in Alberta.

Many of the licenses issued before November 2021 still report using older electronic and paper-based systems that are slow and difficult to track. The province now has a digital system that lets users report on water use and manage their license through a confidential tool online.

The province is requesting that all Albertans with water licenses issued before November 2021 move them into the online system by the end of this year. Officials said this will help holders save time and assist the province in understanding how much water is available during a severe drought.

“In 2024, we can’t have a system that relies on papers, faxes and other methods to manage water licenses and track Alberta’s water use,” said Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz.

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“I want to thank all the water license holders for helping us by moving their license to the digital system as quickly as possible. It’ll save you time and effort and help us make every drop count this year.”

The provincial Digital Regulatory Assurance System helps license holders submit reports, apply for renewals or amendments, receive email reminders and track their status. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas uses information to help water managers and users make decisions on how they can manage drought.

“Moving into the digital system will make your license quicker and easier for you to manage and help us keep track of how much water is available in Alberta,” stated Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson.

“As we face the risk of severe drought, I’m asking all irrigators and water license holders to make the time to move their license as soon as they can.”

The province noted that moving a license into the digital system does not change or replace the original license in any way. There will be no change to the license priority number and all information submitted through the digital system will continue to be kept confidential.