Alberta slashes wait times for Water Act licences
Alberta’s government has cut wait times for Water Act licences by more than half over the past year, a move officials say will save both time and money for landowners, businesses and municipalities.
By streamlining processes, setting clear standards and reducing red tape, the province has lowered wait times for licences by 52 per cent in the last year. Compared with 2021, the improvement reaches 79 per cent, meaning applicants now receive decisions an average of 354 days sooner.
“Routine water applications shouldn’t take months or even years,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “We are getting government out of the way so that farmers, ranchers, communities and businesses can keep on growing. Over the past two years, we’ve maintained Alberta’s world-class environmental standards while making sure people can access the water they need.”
The province introduced mandatory service targets for all Water Act applications last year and launched a new online system to make submission and review faster. Other regulatory improvements, such as removing unnecessary 10 per cent hold-backs on most water transfers, have also cut down on paperwork.
“These results are good news for every Albertan, company or community looking to access water in this province,” said Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Water. “We will continue to look for ways to cut red tape, reduce bureaucratic delays and eliminate outdated processes.”
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, emphasized the broader goal: “We’re tossing out the long delays for regulatory approvals and decisions that hold businesses and communities back. Our government continues to knock down bureaucratic barriers so Alberta remains the best place in Canada to live, work and do business.”
Officials say the changes have already made a tangible difference. Bob Marshall, reeve of the County of Grande Prairie, noted that the Digital Regulatory Assurance System and streamlined application process have cut approval times for both small- and large-scale projects from six months or more to just one to two months.
“For years, the sand and gravel industry has struggled with permitting delays, which hampers investment and development,” said Rob Fragoso, executive director of the Alberta Sand and Gravel Association. “The industry welcomes a future with less red tape so we can focus on producing the materials needed to serve Albertans.”
Quick facts:
Over 88 per cent of Water Act applications submitted in the past year were complete as of Sept. 30.
Outstanding applications from before 2024 have been reduced from 644 to seven.
Timelines for authorizations requiring a Water Act approval have dropped 46 per cent in the past year and 63 per cent since 2021, meaning decisions come 140 days sooner on average.
Service targets allow for thorough review and public consultation where necessary:
Low-risk decisions: 60 days
Medium-risk decisions: 90 days
High-risk decisions: 120 days
Since April 2025, 86 per cent of applications have met their target timelines, with 71 per cent completed at least 30 days ahead of schedule.
The province says these changes are part of a broader effort to modernize Alberta’s water management system and make more water available to support growth in agriculture, industry and communities.