• safe, secure drinking water

• healthy aquatic ecosystems

• reliable, quality water supplies

Key Ministries Involved: Environment, Sustainable Resource Development, Innovation and Science, and Agriculture,Food and Rural Development

Aquatic ecosystems include the full diversity of our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands, as well as the groundwater systems that are linked to them. Aquatic ecosystems provide important ecological services (e.g. wetlands help improve water quality, reduce flood peaks and recharge groundwater aquifers). They also provide cultural, heritage and scientific values, as well as a rich diversity of plant and animal life, and support a variety of human uses, such as fisheries and recreation.

To fulfill the goals of the strategy, and meet the specific targets set out by Albertans, the actions outlined in the Water for Life strategy revolve around three core areas of focus:

Knowledge and research
Knowledge to make effective water management decisions

Knowledge about the quality and quantity of Alberta’s water supply is vital to the effective management of our water supply. There are three key pieces to an effective knowledge base - doing the inventory work to fill our information gaps; doing research to ensure we have the knowledge to address new and emerging issues; and ensuring the information is readily accessible by all parties involved in managing Alberta’s water.

Partnerships
Citizens and stakeholders will have opportunities to actively participate in watershed management on a provincial, regional community basis.

Citizens, communities, industry and government must work together to ensure the right water management decisions are made and to ensure our water resources are being used in a safe and sustainable manner. While the Government of Alberta will remain accountable and oversee water management activities in the province, partnerships are integral to achieving stewardship of our water resources.

Water Conservation
Albertans will be leaders in conservation by using water efficiently and effectively

Water is a precious resource required for humans, the economy and aquatic ecosystems. In some areas of the province, water resources are currently under significant pressure to meet demand. As Alberta’s population and economy continue to grow, demand for this renewable but finite resource will grow. Water conservation measures provide a pro-active tool to Albertans for meeting our projected future water needs.

Target	Action
Short-Term 2004/05 - 2006/07	Knowledge & Research
Efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems in critical areas are underway	Establish science-based methods for determining the ecological requirements for a healthy aquatic environment Develop a system for monitoring and assessing aquatic ecosystems Complete an assessment of Alberta's surface water quality Establish a provincial, multi-disciplinary water research centre Develop a provincial water research plan Establish a public awareness and education program to ensure Albertans have easy access to water resource information and services
	Partnerships
	Establish water conservation objectives for the South Saskatchewan River Basin Develop a wetland policy and supporting action plan to achieve sustainable wetlands Establish a provincial Water Advisory Council Complete a partnership framework, outlining the roles, responsibilities and relationships between government and its partners Establish watershed planning and advisory committees for the Milk, Oldman. Bow,Red Deer, Battle, North Saskatchewan, Cold Lake, Beaver River, and Lesser Slave Lake watersheds Complete watershed management plans for the South Saskatchewan, Battle, Cold Lake-Beaver, and Lesser Slave Lake watersheds
	Water Conservation
	Establish a public awareness and education program on water conservation in Alberta Determine and report on the true value of water in relation to the provincial economy Complete an evaluation and make recommendations on the merit of economic instruments to meet water conservation and productive objectives

Target	Action
Medium-Term 2007/08 - 2009/10	Knowledge & Research
Water management objectives and priorities for sustaining aquatic ecosystems are established through watershed plans	Complete an initial assessment of the status of aquatic ecosystem, including lakes, wetlands, streams and rivers Update water quality programs to support watershed protection and planning Establish a provincial water information centre that brings together information from both private and public sources Report research results to Albertans
	Partnership
	Establish as part of the watershed management plans, objectives for aquatic ecosystems Establish watershed planning and advisory committees for the Athabasca and Peace watersheds Complete watershed management plans for the Milk, Oldman, Bow, Red Deer and North Saskatchewan watersheds Support watershed stewardship groups to improve the condition of local watersheds
	Water Conservation
	Implement economic instruments as necessary to meet water conservation and productivity objectives

Target	Action
Long-Term 2010/11 - 2013/14	Knowledge & Research
Water is managed and allocated to sustain aquatic ecosystems and ensure their contribution to Alberta's natural capital and quality of life are maintained Albertans have the knowledge and tools to implement actions to maintain or improve Alberta's water resources Communities are demonstrating leadership in watershed management	Understand the state of Alberta's aquatic ecosystem Understand the state of the quality and quantity of Alberta's groundwater supply
	Partnership
	Maintain and enhance aquatic ecosystems to ensure they meet the established objectives Complete watershed management plans for all major watersheds Establish an adaptive management system for identifying issues, gathering information, developing and implementing action plans, and evaluating management actions
	Water Conservation

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