Calgary city council will soon debate a sweeping 11-point water efficiency plan that could introduce permanent outdoor watering schedules for residents. The strategy, which aims to reduce the city’s per-capita water consumption by 20 per cent by 2040, also includes significant investments in fixing aging infrastructure and updating water meters.
The proposed plan comes after a city committee passed a report last week highlighting the need for proactive water management. “Advancing water efficiency supports reliable service delivery, reduces vulnerability to water shortages, and supports long-term city building in a drought prone region,” the report states. If approved by the full council, the measures would represent a major shift in how the city manages its water resources, moving from temporary restrictions during shortages to a permanent conservation model.
A central and contentious element of the plan is the introduction of a year-round outdoor watering schedule. This would restrict the use of sprinklers to specific days, determined by a household's address. The goal is to curb the significant spike in water demand during summer months, which can be up to 40 per cent higher than in winter.
Council division on water restrictions
The proposal has already revealed a divide among city leaders, with some arguing that the city must address its own shortcomings before imposing new rules on Calgarians. Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean and Mayor Jeromy Farkas have both suggested the focus should first be on the city’s leaky pipes, which are responsible for a staggering loss of about 20 per cent of Calgary’s treated water.
Mayor Farkas echoed this sentiment, emphasizing municipal accountability. “It’s really important for us to actually look at the city’s own business first before asking Calgarians to change their behaviors,” Farkas told CTV News. The plan acknowledges the need for major infrastructure investment, estimating a cost of up to $400 million through 2030 for programs and upgrades. This steep price tag has some councillors questioning the timing of residential restrictions, which could be seen as shifting the burden of conservation onto citizens while systemic issues persist. This debate comes as many residents are already concerned about rising costs, including a recent property tax hike.
The case for immediate action
While fixing kilometres of underground pipes is a long-term and costly endeavour, proponents of the plan argue that implementing a watering schedule is a quick and effective tool for immediate conservation. Southern Alberta is a naturally arid region, and experts warn that climate change will likely increase the frequency and severity of droughts. Proactive measures, they say, are essential for ensuring a stable water supply for a growing population.
Michelle Anderson, the principal investigator in sustainability sciences at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), says that outdoor watering schedules are a proven method for managing demand. “An outdoor water schedule is a really cost-effective way of reducing demand, especially in the summer when demand can increase up to 40 per cent compared to the winter,” she says. Anderson also notes that Calgary would not be breaking new ground with this policy.
What’s important about outdoor watering schedules is that this isn’t something new. This is something that other jurisdictions have been doing across North America for quite some time. Many other municipalities in drought-prone areas have had similar restrictions in place for years, integrating them into their long-term water management strategies. By adopting this practice, Calgary would be aligning itself with established best practices for water conservation in urban environments, much like the recent water partnership approved by Bay councils. The recent spring snowstorms, while welcome, do not alleviate the long-term pressures on the region's water supply, which relies heavily on mountain snowpack.
A multi-pronged approach to water use
Beyond the headline-grabbing watering schedule, the 11-point plan outlines a broader strategy for a more water-conscious city. It proposes expanding or introducing new incentive programs to encourage Calgarians to adopt water-saving habits voluntarily. These could include rebates for installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads.
Another key component is promoting water-friendly landscaping. This involves providing incentives for residents to replace thirsty lawns with native, drought-tolerant plants, a practice known as xeriscaping. Not only does this reduce outdoor water use, but it can also create more resilient and ecologically diverse green spaces within the city. The plan also calls for upgrading the city’s water meters to provide more accurate, real-time data on water usage, helping both the city and consumers identify and fix leaks faster. The public response to such civic measures can often be mixed, as seen in other Canadian cities grappling with controversial policies, like the recent public outrage over MPP pay raises in Ontario.
The comprehensive nature of the plan suggests that city administration is aiming for a cultural shift in how Calgarians think about water. By combining restrictions with education, incentives, and major infrastructure renewal, the city hopes to build a more sustainable water future. According to information from the Government of Alberta, preparing for drought is a critical issue for the entire province.
The full water efficiency plan is scheduled to be debated by city council later this month, where councillors will have to weigh the urgency of conservation against the costs and public appetite for new restrictions.
