Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues: National Summary

2.0 PROVINCIAL SUMMARIES

2.1 British Columbia

The following text summarizes information from the report titled Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues - National Water Supply Expansion Program - British Columbia.

2.1.1 Issues/Constraints and Information Gaps

The agricultural regions within British Columbia vary significantly in type of agriculture and in water availability. Within the agricultural producing zones precipitation varies from less than 300 mm to greater than 2500 mm. In the drier areas, prolonged periods of lower than normal precipitation have led to water shortages. Interestingly, even the wettest areas can face water shortages in late summer when water demand is highest, because the majority of the precipitation occurs in the winter months.

While British Columbia is perceived to have an abundance of water, it is not always accessible because of allocation restrictions. Competing uses create high demands, particularly on surface water because the lack of information on groundwater availability often restricts development of potential groundwater sources.

There is a general gap in the information needed to make decisions about water use. These gaps include the quantification of regional water needs on a commodity basis, the availability of groundwater resources, accurate water budgets (i.e. assessing true water availability versus amounts allocated), and limited information on in-stream needs for preservation of aquatic life.

Irrigation is important for the production of several commodities in British Columbia, ranging from forage crops to high value fruit crops. In some regions, where commercial agriculture cannot thrive without irrigation, challenges occur due to seasonal shortages of water.

Water conservation measures are adopted in an inconsistent manner throughout the province. Water storage, improved water conveyance systems, irrigation equipment efficiencies, water metering and irrigation scheduling are all examples of conservation measures that could be implemented more consistently throughout the province.

The main issues, constraints or knowledge gaps identified in the consultative process included:

• Availability / distribution of water to agriculture;
• Competition for limited water resources with non-agricultural users;
• On-farm efficiency (education and resources to improve efficiency);
• Lack of Information (water needs, water availability, knowledge of sources, etc.);
• Public awareness of agriculture's water needs and how water can be shared; and,
• Policy issues related to existing and future allocation of water for agricultural use.

2.1.2 Priorities

In each region of the province, the availability of long-term water supply is a limiting factor to agricultural expansion. The inherent constraints vary among and within regions, and as such the priorities may differ slightly in each region. In general, recommendations call for:

• Addressing on-farm water conservation activities;
• Developing information specific to agricultural water use and availability of water in agricultural areas of the province;
• Developing on-farm and regional water supply infrastructure, including development of engineering plans; and,
• Contributing to effective partnerships and resolution of conflicts on water use objectives.

2.1.3 Recommended Program Principles, Elements, or Criteria

The general recommendations include funding and technical assistance for the two broad categories of:

• Information gathering, technology transfer, feasibility assessment and planning; and,
• New capital works or improvements to existing water supply infrastructure.

Recommended program elements or criteria include:

• Flexibility to address regional constraints and issues;
• Encouragement of on-farm water conservation activities;
• Filling information gaps on agricultural water use and availability of water in agricultural areas of the province;
• Development of water supply infrastructure for both on-farm and regional use;
• Inclusion of agreements with the responsible parties for long-term security of the water supply for infrastructure developments; and,
• Integration, to the extent possible, of the interests from all parties responsible for water.

2.2 Alberta

The following text summarizes information from the report titled Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues - Prairie Provinces - National Water Supply Expansion Program.

2.2.1Issues/Constraints and Information Gaps

In Alberta, the greatest demand for water lies in the central and southern parts of the province, whereas the greatest supply exists in the northern part of the province. The heavy demand for water in southern Alberta has resulted in the placement of moratoria on surface water withdrawals for some streams.

Many regions of Alberta experience greater losses of water through evaporation than gains from precipitation. Throughout time, drought has occurred through much of the agricultural region of the province, but it has been particularly prevalent in the southern and eastern parts of the province.

There is a general gap in the information needed to make decisions about water use. The relationship between surface water and groundwater systems, the sustainable yields of major aquifers, and the in-stream needs for river basins need to be assessed before water supply and demand can be adequately assessed.

Irrigation is required for a significant portion of agricultural production in southern Alberta. The majority of surface water consumptive use in the province is accounted for by irrigation. Water conservation strategies are constrained by a lack of adequate hydrological and climate monitoring networks.

The main issues, constraints or knowledge gaps identified in the consultative process included:

• Lack of information on sustainable yields of groundwater aquifers;
• Lack of a long-term water supply development strategy;
• Existing surface water supplies are diminished due to drought and increasing fluctuations in long-term weather patterns;
• Surface water license moratoria exist in the south;
• Majority of water supply is in the north, whereas demand is in the south;
• Lack of information on sustainability of agriculture with available water supply; and,
• Existing downstream water apportionment agreements must be met.

2.2.2 Priorities

The study identified some regions that had specific water supply constraints that impacted agricultural production. The constraints in these regions varied and consequently the recommended approaches to solving the constraints varied. In general, there is a need for targeted assessments of water supplies and targeted infrastructure development. Recommended funding options included:

• Programs to monitor water use/diversions;
• Programs to increase education on water conservation and efficient use of water;
• Programs to support collection of groundwater data and assessments of the resource;
• Targeted community water supply development, for example, regional pipelines and tank loader facilities to distribute good quality water from reliable sources to areas where water supply issues exist;
• Programs to develop web-based accessibility to all water databases;
• Feasibility studies for water storage opportunities; and,
• Test well/supply well programs in low yield/poor water areas.

2.2.3 Recommended Program Principles, Elements, or Criteria

The general recommendations include funding for the two broad categories of:

• Program development - targeted funding to assist with planning studies, investigations of the water resources, or database management
• Project work - specific projects, generally infrastructure, that address short-term and long-term water supply problems

Recommended criteria for program design and implementation include:

• Programs/projects should get priority in critical areas where constraints are most evident;
• Program/project should demonstrate it will lead to risk reduction;
• Water source developments should supply safe water for human and livestock consumption;
• Measures that increase efficiency of water use are most appropriate;
• Programs/projects that provide economic benefit to many people are more desirable;
• Initiatives that address a regional issue are more desirable;
• Flexible contribution scales depending on project rating and ability of proponents to cost-share; and,
• Projects should stabilize or enhance rural development.