Edmonton, Alta — Wait times for water licences under the Water Act in Alberta have decreased by 57 per cent over the past four years, according to the Alberta government.
“We are seeing real improvements that help communities grow and businesses succeed, but this is just the start. We are going to keep finding ways to increase transparency, and speed up and improve all of our regulatory processes,” shares Rebecca Schulz, minister of environment and protected areas, in a press release.
On average, approvals are not being delivered by 253 days sooner. At the same time, the average wait time for approvals under the Water Act has fallen by 31 per cent. On average, approvals are being delivered 70 days sooner.
The backlog of open applications longer than six months has declined by 68 per cent.
As of February 2024, water licenses issued under the Water Act and precedent legislation by the Alberta government before November 2021 will move to the digital regulatory assurance system. This online platform was designed to help licence holders compile and view all parts of their licence and activities subject to environmental regulation, according to the provincial government.
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas has also established mandatory service targets for the first time to speed up reviews and prevent unnecessary delays.
Staff will now be required to assess each application and make a decision based on its deemed risk — low-risk decisions must be made within 60 days, medium-risk decisions must be made within 90 days, and high-risk decisions must be made within 120 days.
These targets include the time required for public consultation, where necessary. The department adds that it will work to continue lowering these targets in the future where possible.
To apply for a licence, approval must be obtained before the diversion of water or before undertaking an activity, as defined in the act, in or around a water body.