Council and Administration are committed to ensuring that those who choose to make Cochrane home will be supported with all of the required services to support a strong, resilient and robust community – including adequate water supply now and into the future.
As part of our 25-year water strategy, Administration is working collaboratively with the Ministry of Environment and Parks as well as other industry partners to secure the additional water licence required to support the future growth of Cochrane.
Through long-range planning and collaborative partnerships, Cochrane will continue to support the needs of our community.
FAQs
A water licence is a licence, approval or other authorization under Provincial Law for the storage, diversion, extraction or use of water and for the construction, maintenance and operation of works.
A water licence is required to use or divert water in Alberta.
In 2006, the Province of Alberta enacted a moratorium for issuing new water licences for the Bow, Oldman and South Saskatchewan River sub-basins to mitigate concerns that the rivers had been over-allocated. As a result, water licences are transferred or traded between buyers and sellers in a market-based system. To support growth, Cochrane must acquire additional water licences to divert additional water from the Bow River (i.e., the main water supply for Cochrane) for treatment and distribution as potable water.
Yes. Cochrane currently has water licence to support a population of 47,000 people. In 2023 Cochrane only used 65% of it's existing licence. The pursuit of additional licencing is to support future development.
No. A water licence connection fee was implemented in September 2023 and is charged to builders at the building permit stage to recover the cost of new water licences required to support growth.
We all have a role to play - practice water conservation with these helpful tips.
