Calgary is a big city on two small rivers, the Bow and the Elbow. Using water efficiently protects the health of our rivers, reduces drought risk, and supports economic growth and quality of life for Calgarians and our neighbours.

As our city continues to grow, hotter, drier summers, aging infrastructure, and recent water system disruptions have reinforced the need to renew and strengthen Calgary’s approach to water efficiency.

The updated Water Efficiency Plan sets a renewed direction for managing water use across the city. It aligns with Calgary’s Drought Resilience Plan, Climate Strategy, and Environment Strategy, and supports long-term water security.

The Water Efficiency Plan's vision, goal and actions support the recommendation to advance water demand management included in the Bearspaw South Feedermain Independent Review Panel Report.

The updated Water Efficiency Plan will be brought forward to City Council for consideration on April 28, 2026.

Calgary is a large city supported by two small rivers. As our city grows, several pressures are increasing at the same time:

• Population growth increases the overall demand for water.
• Hotter, drier summers drive higher peak water use when river flows are often lower.
• Aging infrastructure faces greater strain during high‑demand periods.
• Climate change adds uncertainty to long‑term water availability.

How we manage water use is just as important as how we build, operate, and maintain our infrastructure.

Improving water efficiency:

• strengthens the reliability of our water system
• reduces the operational risk on that system
• helps manage long‑term infrastructure costs
• protects Calgary’s river ecosystems

Calgary has successfully reduced water use before.

The 2005 “30-in-30” 2005 Water Efficiency Plan, updated in 2016, reduced per‑capita water use by 30 per cent, even as Calgary grew significantly. Since then, efficiency gains have plateaued while overall demand continues to rise.

Learn more about the history of the Water Efficiency Plan.

The updated Water Efficiency Plan builds on this foundation, responding to current conditions and future risks with modern tools, better data, and a balanced set of actions.

The updated Water Efficiency Plan sets a clear, long‑term goal - Reduce per‑capita water demand by 20 per cent by 2040.

The Water Efficiency Plan takes a water system wide approach, where The City, Calgarians and businesses all work together to be more efficient. No single tool, investment or policy is enough on its own to meet our water efficiency goals.

Our 2050 vision

Water efficiency has been embedded as a key part of Calgary’s integrated water management approach. It supports protecting the rivers we share, strengthening  community resilience, and ensuring water is available for all, now and into the future.

By 2050, we envision a Calgary that:

• Practices water wise habits as part of everyday life
• Uses the right water for the right purpose
• Designs landscapes that don’t rely on treated drinking water
• Plans community growth and economic development with water in mind
• Leverages real-time data to guide education and action
• Manages a resilient and reliable water infrastructure system

2040 goal

To protect the rivers we share and support a growing city, Calgary is committed to a 20 per cent reduction in per capita water demand by 2040.

Outdoor water use is one of the largest drivers of peak water demand in Calgary.

On hot summer days, water demand can be up to 40 per cent higher than a typical winter day. This surge puts pressure on treatment plants, pipes, storage reservoirs and pumping systems, at a time when river flows are lower.

A permanent Outdoor Watering Schedule helps:

• spread water use more evenly across the week
• reduce stress during peak demand periods
• and optimizes how existing water infrastructure is used

The schedule is not a water restriction and the following activities are always allowed:

• letting your kids run through the sprinkler
• filling up pools, hot tubs and fountains
• washing windows and pressure washing decks, fences and siding
• watering plants with watering can or with a hose and spring-loaded nozzle
• watering food gardens
• watering newly planted trees, shrubs, sod and seed

The Outdoor Watering Schedule will only apply to watering your lawn, trees, shrubs and plants with a sprinkler or automatic irrigation. Calgarians can water their lawn up to three days a week, between 12 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. - 11:59 pm.

Water efficiency is not just a residential issue. The plan applies across the entire water system, including households, businesses, industrial, commercial and institutional users and City operations.

For residents, the plan focuses on:

• practical tools and clear information
• rebates and incentive programs
• expanding access to water‑saving supports, including for low‑income households and renters

For businesses and institutions, the plan supports:

• improved data and benchmarking
• water‑use audits and tailored efficiency programs
• incentives that make operational sense
• planning certainty for future growth

The City is leading by example by:

• Reducing system water loss
• Updating water meters
• Expanding indoor and outdoor water efficiency programs and incentives

Public input helped shape the updated Water Efficiency Plan. From November 17 to December 7, 2025, Calgarians and businesses shared feedback through The City’s Engage portal.

Participants shared what matters most to them, including protecting rivers, fairness and affordability and practical support to help people use water wisely at home and at work. This feedback has informed the actions included in the updated plan.

Visit the Water Efficiency Plan engage portal page to learn about the engagement process and read the What We Heard Report.