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Document ID ca-ab-waaltr-2024 Title Water Allocations and Transfers URL unknown Jurisdiction /ca/ab Subdomain(s) Permitting, zoning & urban planning, Regulations & standards Language en Status completed Analyzed at 2026-03-24 02:53:18.064948+00:00 Relevance Describes regulatory requirements for water diversion, licensing, and permits.

Q Qualitative Requirements (8)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Context Conditions Confidence
#Q001operationaloperationalmandatoryHousehold User Qualification Criteriadrinking water, agricultural water, otherThe water must be used for human consumption, sanitation, fire prevention and watering animals, gardens, lawns and trees.To qualify as a household user under section 21high
#Q002reportingreportingmandatorySubdivision Development ReportingotherTo address any concerns regarding the development of subdivisions, the Water Act (section 23) requires that a report be submitted to the subdivision authority.Development of subdivisionshigh
#Q003reportingreportingmandatoryLand Disposition Notificationagricultural waterThe Water Act requires that the Designated Director under the Water Act (Director) be notified in writing of a disposition such as a sale or purchase of land for which a registration is appurtenant.Sale or purchase of land for which a traditional agriculture use registration is appurtenanthigh
#Q004administrativeoperationalmandatoryWater Diversion LicensingotherUnder the Water Act , a licence is required for diversions of water with a few exceptions: Household purposes, Registration for traditional agriculture use, Those diversions identified under the Water Act - Water (Ministerial) RegulationDiversion of water from surface and groundwater sourceshigh
#Q005administrativeoperationalmandatoryWater Allocation Transfer AuthorizationotherThese require that a transfer must first be authorized in a water management plan or through an order of Cabinet.Transfer of the right to divert a volume of water from a source of water supplyhigh
#Q006administrativeoperationalmandatoryHousehold User Land Ownership Requirementdrinking water, agricultural water, otherTo qualify as a household user under section 21, a person must own or occupy land that adjoins a river, stream, lake, natural watercourse or other natural water body, or own or occupy land under which groundwater exists.Qualifying as a household user under section 21high
#Q007prohibitionoperationalmandatoryNon-transferability of Specific Water Rightsdrinking water, agricultural waterthe Water Act specifically states that the rights related to household purposes and registrations for traditional agricultural uses are not subject to the transfer provisions.Rights related to household purposes and registrations for traditional agricultural useshigh
#Q008prohibitionoperationalmandatoryHoldback Reallocation ProhibitionotherThe government's holdback of up to 10% of the water in an allocation transfer can remain in the natural water body or be held in a Water Conservation Objective licence and will not be available for reallocation for other uses.Water held back by government during allocation transferhigh

P Quantitative Requirements (3)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Limit Type Limit Value Context Conditions Confidence
#P001operationaloperationalmandatoryMaximum water diversion for household purposesdrinking water, agricultural water, otherrequirement<= 1250 cubic metres per year per householdThis right applies to a maximum of only 1,250 cubic metres of water per year per household.To qualify as a household user under section 21, a person must own or occupy land that adjoins a river, stream, lake, natural watercourse or other natural water body, or own or occupy land under which groundwater exists. The water must be used for human consumption, sanitation, fire prevention and watering animals, gardens, lawns and trees.high
#P002operationaloperationalmandatoryMaximum water diversion for traditional agriculture useagricultural waterrequirement<= 6250 cubic metres per yearcontinue to divert up to 6,250 cubic metres of water per year for the purposes of raising animals or applying pesticides to crops without a formal authorization.exempted agriculture users, who on or before January 1, 1999 owned or occupied land that adjoins a river, lake or natural watercourse or other natural water body or land under which groundwater existshigh
#P003operationaloperationalguidanceGovernment holdback on allocation transferotherrequirement<= 10 %The government's holdback of up to 10% of the water in an allocation transfer can remain in the natural water body or be held in a Water Conservation Objective licence and will not be available for reallocation for other uses.This holdback applies to permanent and temporary transfers of allocations.high

D Definitions (6)

Req ID Category Name Context Confidence
#D001household usera person must own or occupy land that adjoins a river, stream, lake, natural watercourse or other natural water body, or own or occupy land under which groundwater exists. The water must be used for human consumption, sanitation, fire prevention and watering animals, gardens, lawns and trees.medium
#D002DirectorDesignated Director under the Water Acthigh
#D003household purposesThe water must be used for human consumption, sanitation, fire prevention and watering animals, gardens, lawns and trees. This right applies to a maximum of only 1,250 cubic metres of water per year per household.high
#D004Water Allocation Transferthe transfer of the right to divert a volume of water from a source of water supply, under a certain priority. There is no physical transfer of water from the land.high
#D005temporary transferthe transferred allocation reverts to the original licensee after a specified time period.high
#D006exempted agriculture usersusers, who on or before January 1, 1999 owned or occupied land that adjoins a river, lake or natural watercourse or other natural water body or land under which groundwater exists to continue to divert up to 6,250 cubic metres of water per year for the purposes of raising animals or applying pesticides to crops without a formal authorization.high