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Home    Sustainable Okotoks    10 Branches of Sustainability    1. Water Management

1. Water Management

Target
To be achieved by 2013
 
Progress
The residents of Okotoks achieved this goal by 2000 and have continually met the target since.
 
The Sheep River Watershed
Water is central to Sustainable Okotoks. The Sheep River is central to our community, physically as our prime resource and geographically and spiritually as the heart of our community.
 
In 1998, Okotoks was one of the first communities in the world to make a conscious decision to limit growth based on an established environmental carrying capacity. The Sheep River is a finite resource with a seasonal volume that fluctuates with mountain snowmelt. Alberta Environment established an average annual water volume for the Sheep River which informed the amount of water Okotoks can draw for consumption and return (as treated effluent) to the river. This limit creates a 'carrying capacity' of the number of people that can rely on this resource.
 
In 1998, 'carrying capacity' was established as 30,000 people if a 30% per capita reduction in water conversation could be achieved.
 
In April 2010 a report was prepared for Town Council by Worley Parsons Resources & Energy discussing the water challenges for the Town of Okotoks. Water Challenges for the Town of Okotoks: The quest for supply security (5 MB) Adobe

Okotoks Water Management Plan
 
 
The Plan's goal is to ensure provision of quality potable water to resident's, institutions and businesses within a community of 30,000 people. Wise and responsible municipal water management is necessary for the effective and efficient development, operation and delivery of potable water. The Plan identifies a number of policies and activities to achieve this.
 
Municipal water sources, including those of the Town of Okotoks, are governed by or significantly influenced by:
  • Federal and Provincial Legislation.
  • Environmental impacts (droughts, floods, pollution and sediment control).
  • Responsible management of aquatic ecosystems regionally.
  • Protection of groundwater supplies.
  • Quality of sewage treatment.
  • Regional growth and development
The Town of Okotoks has been recognized as a municipal leader in wise and responsible water management. Our water conservation commitment includes:
  • Progressive municipal and inter-municipal development plans.
  • Aggressive use of new technology in automated monitoring.
  • Infrastructure design and management.
  • Innovative technologies in waste and potable water treatment.
  • Financial assessments and carefully planned actions to engage residents in community public information and education initiatives.
These initiatives have enabled Okotoks to successfully manage its water resources effectively and efficiency while complying with provincial water management legislation.
 
Sheep River Valley Management Plan
Adopted in 2003 this plan which provides a comprehensive direction for the protection, maintenance and rehabilitation of river valley lands in Okotoks, including escarpment hillsides and tributary ravines. Some key features within the Plan are:
Forest Management Guideline
Grassland Management Guideline
Fire Management Guideline
Weed Control Guideline
Wildlife and Fisheries Management