Edmonton Drought Resiliency Plan

Sustainability through resiliency

EPCOR is committed to building drought-resilience across the one water cycle to help mitigate the impacts of drought and climate change. Our Drought Resiliency Plan identifies specific goals and actions centering on drought prediction, reducing water demand, building resiliency through innovative solutions across the one water cycle and communicating proactively.

Ample supply of water

The North Saskatchewan River experiences variations in flow rate over the seasons and years; however, even when the North Saskatchewan River experiences hydrological drought and low flows, it is anticipated there will still be ample supply of water in the North Saskatchewan River to provide potable water for Edmonton and the surrounding areas.

Protecting our source water

EPCOR has several initiatives in place to protect our source water (the North Saskatchewan River) and our treatment and distribution processes and systems. These initiatives are summarized in our various planning documents, which include:

Integrated Resource Plans (Water, Stormwater, Wastewater)
Source Water Protection Plan
2023 EPCOR Sustainability Report

Objectives of the Drought Resiliency Plan

Our Drought Resiliency Plan details actions to prepare and manage through drought conditions, and to help achieve the following four objectives:

Predict through monitoring, modelling and forecasting

To predict, plan, manage and respond to drought risk in the Edmonton region in both the short and long term.

Manage water demand

Improving resilience to drought in the short term through collaborative planning, preparation, and response that focuses on reducing water demand during peak water use periods and in the long term through continued conservation efforts.

Build resilience

Building resilience to drought long-term through innovative conservation, stormwater management, green infrastructure, and water reuse and watershed protection solutions.

Awareness and communication

Communicating to EPCOR’s customers and partners about the impacts of drought in the Edmonton region.