Water Conservation Plan
March 2025
Thank you to all Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector members who attended the open house on March 3. If you were unable to attend the open house, the story boards can be reviewed here.
Please complete the ICI water rate changes survey found below. Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand the potential impacts of these changes on your business and in identifying opportunities for water conservation within the ICI sector.
The proposed rates aim to minimize impact on the ICI sector, with 93 per cent of users unaffected. Even with these changes, Lethbridge's rates will also remain among the lowest in Alberta and Canada. Scaling Water Rates is a key strategy in achieving a 20 per cent reduction in local ICI water usage by 2030. It also supports the sustainability of the infrastructure required to treat and deliver water.
April 2024
Thank you for your input on the Water Conservation Plan and Strategy. You can read the full Water Conservation Plan and Strategy here.
January 2024
The City is preparing a water conservation plan and we are collecting feedback on your current water consumption and conservation initiatives the City may consider implementing. The survey is open January 23 - February 7, 2024.
Be sure to register your email on the 'Stay Informed' widget for updates to the project as it progresses.
Background
The last three years have brought droughts and water shortages to various parts of Alberta, including most of southern Alberta last summer. Compounding this situation, El Niño is producing a warm and dry winter across Canada and more than 70 per cent of the country is experiencing drought conditions.
Alberta relies on melting snow and rain for most of its water. This winter, snowfall is well below average, many rivers are at or near record lows and multiple reservoirs remain well below capacity. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas has indicated that without significant precipitation, spring water levels are expected to be dire. In response, the City of Lethbridge is preparing a water conservation plan to initiate long-term behavioral changes in water usage and will include an update to the existing Water Rationing Plan. The Water Conservation Plan will detail the current water availability situation, opportunities for voluntary water conservation initiatives and regulatory changes to curb water usage behaviour. The Water Conservation Plan will be applicable to all water users within city limits.
