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1. What is a water licence?

Any use or diversion of groundwater or surface water in Alberta requires a licence under the Water Act. To support growth, Cochrane must acquire an additional water licence to divert additional water from the Bow River for treatment and distribution as potable water.

2. What is the capacity of our current licence?

Cochrane currently has a water licence to support a population of 47,000 people. 

This number can increase based on our community consumption and water conservation practices.

3. Will I continue to have water?

Yes. When you turn on your tap, clean potable water will always be available. The pursuit of additional licencing is to support future development.

If our licence capacity is not sufficient, we would not be able to support any future developments in Cochrane.

4. What are the next steps?

Administration is currently working on the implementation of our 25-year Water Supply Strategy and anticipates sharing further details later this year.

5. How are we going to pay for new water licences?

Council recently approved the use of Water Licence Connection Fees to recover the cost for the purchase of water licences. These fees will be charged to all new developments in Cochrane effective September 1, 2023.