Freedom to water

July 31, 2025 Media inquiries

Communities and businesses can now spend more time restoring watersheds and less time filling out government forms.

To ensure that plants receive the water they need, Alberta is removing the requirement to have a temporary diversion licence to water plants as part of a riparian restoration project. This change will cut unnecessary red tape, keep plants alive and ensure the time and money that communities and businesses put into watershed restoration projects are not wasted.

Traditionally, a licence has been required in Alberta to water newly planted trees, shrubs, grasses and other vegetation along rivers, creeks and lakes. This requirement means that otherwise healthy plants could die from lack of water if a licence could not be obtained in time due to bureaucratic delays, water shortages or drought conditions in the area.

For the full news release, please click on the following: