Alberta’s Groundwater: The Unseen Wealth Beneath Our Feet

Beneath Alberta's vast landscapes lies a hidden treasure trove of groundwater, a staggering 40,000 cubic kilometres that could theoretically blanket the entire province with a 60-meter-deep aquatic layer. Yet, this immense resource remains largely untapped, with only 0.01% currently accessible for our use.

Navigating the Waters of Regulation

The Alberta Water Act governs the use of this precious resource, designating water used outside of household needs as an ‘allocation.’ This system requires sectors such as agriculture, industry, and municipalities to obtain a license from Alberta Environment, ensuring they only use their fair share of water.

Households, however, enjoy a unique exemption. With a statutory right, Albertans can use up to 1,250 cubic meters of groundwater yearly for domestic purposes without needing a license.

A Drop in the Bucket: Groundwater’s Role in Alberta’s Water Use

Despite its abundance, groundwater accounts for a mere 3% of all licensed water in Alberta. In 2010, for example, of the 9.9 billion cubic meters of water allocated, only 300 million cubic meters came from groundwater sources. And even then, actual usage seldom reaches the full amount allocated.

Sector by Sector: Who’s Using Alberta’s Groundwater?

• The oil and gas sector, which has been allocated 41% of the non-saline groundwater, is increasingly turning to saline water for unconventional recovery methods, such as steam injection and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), while also prioritizing water conservation and recycling efforts.
• The agricultural sector holds 23% of the groundwater allocation but uses less than 1% of its total water allocation, mainly depending on surface water for irrigation and livestock needs.
• Municipalities, responsible for 19% of groundwater allocations, often rely entirely on groundwater or supplement it with surface water sources.
• The commercial sector, with a 10% allocation, utilizes groundwater for various purposes, from manufacturing and construction to maintaining recreational facilities like golf courses.

The Invisible Majority: Residential Groundwater Use

Surprisingly, the largest consumer of fresh groundwater isn’t any of these sectors but the residential sector. Used for drinking, cooking, and sanitation, residential consumption is estimated to be between 250,000 to 400,000 cubic meters annually. This significant figure remains unlicensed and is not reflected in provincial statistics, underscoring the vital role groundwater plays in the daily lives of Albertans.

Groundwater: Alberta’s Lifeline

Groundwater isn’t merely a resource in Alberta; it’s a lifeline. Over 600,000 Albertans, roughly 20% of the population, rely on it for essential activities such as drinking, cooking, and sanitation. Considering the vast reserves available, this dependence is all the more striking—a clear call to action for sustainable management and conservation of this vital resource.

*Most stats from "Focus on Groundwater Use" published by Alberta Environment.