New provincial direction on municipalities’ use of water could mean a deluge of new possibilities in its reuse, adding sustainability to Calgary’s water supply.

On Oct. 30, the Government of Alberta proposed changes through Bill 7 the Water Amendment Act that they said will modernize the Water Act. It hasn’t been substantially changed since 1999, according to the province.

Among the changes are plans to remove barriers associated with water licensing, improved measurement and reporting expectations for licence holders, and changes to inter-basin transfers.

“Water is one of Alberta’s most precious resources. Alberta is growing, and so is the demand for water. By listening to Albertans and updating the Water Act, we’re helping communities, businesses, and our economy grow and access the water they need to thrive,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, in a prepared news release from Oct. 30.

One of the amendments that looks promising for the City of Calgary, is broadening the definition and allowing the use of alternative water sources.

“The amendments will also make it easier for Alberta communities and others to use rainwater from rooftops and to reuse wastewater,” read the provincial release.

The province did consultations, which were held in two phases between October 2024 and June 2025.

The City of Calgary took part and provided responses to a survey and submitted a letter through the engagement process, according to Rehana Rajabali, leader of environmental planning and policy with the City of Calgary.

Rajabali said the proposed Water Act changes are a positive signal.

“Having a future water supply is essential for housing, climate resilience, population growth, economic stability for now and future generations,” she said.

“Adopting water reuse strategies is important to help us diversify our water supply portfolio.”

Reuse already practiced in Calgary: Rajabali

When Rajabali spoke with LWC, she was calling from Calgary’s Water Centre. She pointed out that one of the water reuse projects undertaken by the City of Calgary included directing rooftop water to cisterns that irrigate the landscape features out front of the building.

That’s not the only reuse project.

She noted that McCall Lake Golf course, and others, use storm water for irrigation, treated wastewater from the Bonnybrook plant is used at the Enmax Shepard Energy Centre for cooling, and the Calgary Fire Department captures and reuses water at its training facility.

“We actually already do use water reuse across the city. The difference is that it happens on a project-by-project basis,” Rajabali said.

It happens project-by-project because there are unique considerations when developing larger scale reuse of water. Rajabali said that larger scale project requires water quality requirements, depending on the use. Different infrastructure could also be needed to accommodate large-scale water reuse. All of this requires a clear regulatory structure, she said.

The province’s changes in the Water Act are the first step to providing that, Rajabali said.

“It is enabling legislation that is meant to provide legislative clarity, so that there is a clear pathway to follow to enable water reuse,” she said.

When those regulatory hurdles are ironed out, Rajabali said that it could enable massive water reuse projects, for example, in a future area like the Prairie Economic Gateway.

Work is ongoing with a Water Security Roadmap and Water Reuse Assessment report expected in 2026 that will outline how Calgary secures a reliable water supply through the year 2100.

Low-hanging fruit that’s already in practice with many Calgarians is the reuse of rainwater through collection in barrels, Rajabali said.

More than 3,500 rain barrel rebates were given out this year, showing growth over previous years.

“The low hanging fruit is that lot-by-lot rainwater capture, so that people aren’t relying on potable water supply to water their lot,” Rajabali said.

“For wastewater. I think it is really looking at a site where you have a concentration of customers who need that same, or close enough quality of treated wastewater, so that you’re getting infrastructure from one point to another point, where you could start to see industries that could all have comparable water reuses.”

Diversifying Calgary’s water supply is an important topic today, and into the future, Rajabali said.

“I think it’s important that Calgarians recognize that we’re a big city on two small rivers,” she said.

“These legislative changes are one example of the province trying to enable greater water reuse.”