Drought
Water Efficiency and Drought
Together, we can make every drop count
Updated Sept. 22, 2024
With the urgent repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main now complete, we are no longer heavily relying on the Elbow River and the Glenmore Reservoir as our main source of water.
In addition, over the last month, wet weather has improved conditions across the Bow and Elbow River watersheds prompting a return to ‘Normal’ on Calgary’s drought dial.
What we’re seeing
- Normal to slightly above normal precipitation for this time of year along with a return to cooler temperatures is helping reservoirs and soil moisture recover.
- Bow watershed reservoir storage upstream of Calgary is normal for this time of year. Glenmore Reservoir storage is above normal.
- Bow River flows in Calgary remain within the normal range for this time of year and Elbow River flows in Calgary are above normal.
We will continue to monitor conditions in the Bow and Elbow River Basins throughout the rest fall and keep Calgarians informed. Our next update will be provided in late October.
Current drought status
How you can help conserve water
Save water in your yard and garden
Prepare your yard for dry conditions and make it as water efficient as possible.
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Water wisely
- Avoid watering if there is rain in the forecast
- Water in the early morning and evening
- Start limiting outdoor watering to 4 hours a week.
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Choose water-wise plants
Consider removing lawn where you can, and replacing with drought-tolerant, native plants that are suited for Calgary's climate and soil conditions.
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Install a rain barrel
Capture and reuse any rainwater Mother Nature provides this season.
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Add mulch to your garden
Mulch will reduce the amount of water that evaporates from your soil, reducing your need to water your plants.
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Mow less often
Keep your grass 5-7 cm (2-3") high to shade the soil and leave your clippings on the lawn to retain moisture.
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Point your downspout toward your garden
If you don’t have a rain barrel, point your downspout away from your home’s foundation and toward your garden or lawn to make the best use of the rainwater.
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Add good quality soil
Add a base of at least 20 cm (8”) of good quality soil for a healthy garden that retains water.
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Prioritize watering trees
Prioritize watering your trees and shrubs over grass. Trees provide many benefits to Calgary’s urban environment and maintaining a healthy tree canopy during drought is important.
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Check your irrigation system for leaks
Irrigation systems are one of the most common household leaks. Schedule annual maintenance with an irrigation professional and check often for leaks.
Saving water in your home
Upgrade to a high efficiency appliance
Replace your old washer with a low water use washing machine. Consider buying a front-load washer. They use at least 50% less water than older top-load models.
Wash full loads and skip the extra rinse
Wash only full loads of laundry. Set the water-level appropriately if you must wash a small load of laundry.
Service and repair appliances
- Check the drainage of your water softener, furnace humidifier and hot water tank.
- Is water running out of the line while the humidifier isn’t running?
- Is water draining from the water softener when it isn’t recycling?
- Is the drainage of your hot water tank leaking or draining out of the line?
Read your meter
Use your water meter to check for leaks every six months and make any necessary repairs.
Save water at work
Practising water efficiency makes good business cents.
Lower your water use and energy costs with our indoor and outdoor water saving tips, guides and resources
Water efficiency for businessesMore information
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Find out what steps we're taking to be ready to respond to drought.
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How we’re building a city that can better withstand and recovers from long periods of dry weather.
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Information about drought, conditions across the province and actions undertaken by Alberta's government.