Although this strategy is called the Water Efficiency Plan, it includes both water efficiency and water conservation – two important ways cities plan for long-term water use. Together, they help manage demand and keep our water systems reliable and resilient.

Water efficiency means using less water to do the same task by improving technology and infrastructure. This includes things like replacing old fixtures and appliances with water-saving models, and fixing leaks quickly. Efficiency helps cities serve more people and businesses without using more water or lowering service quality.

Water conservation is about using less water overall by changing how we use it. This can include watering lawns less often, choosing plants that need less water, and encouraging people to be more mindful of their water habits. Conservation helps protect our water supply, reduces strain on infrastructure, and prepares communities for droughts and changing weather.

Water is a precious and limited resource, and managing it wisely is key to Calgary’s long-term success.

Over the past 20 years, Calgarians have made great progress in using less water. Without our collective efforts, our city would have been among the highest water users in North America, meaning:

• Local rivers would have faced greater strain during dry conditions, threatening both water quality and availability.

• Households and businesses would have experienced more frequent service disruptions.

• The City would have been forced to make premature and costly expansions to our water treatment infrastructure, placing pressure on municipal budgets and utility rates.

• Our natural ecosystems would have suffered from reduced river flows and degraded habitat.

Water efficiency is a smart investment and a shared responsibility. It reflects Calgary’s commitment to protecting the rivers that support our city, maintaining a strong economy, and meeting the needs of a growing population. By using water wisely, we help ensure a secure and resilient water future – for tomorrow and for generations to come.

Water efficiency isn’t just about saving water. It’s about creating a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable Calgary.

Being water efficient:

• Makes financial sense by reducing the volume of water that needs to be treated, distributed, and returned to the river.

• Saves energy, since less water use means less energy needed to pump, treat, and heat it.

• Extends the life of infrastructure by reducing stress, wear, and tear on our water systems.

• Builds community resilience by encouraging sustainable water use habits helping ensure water is available when Calgarian’s need it most.

• Supports Calgary’s economic success by ensuring businesses, industries, and services have reliable access to water – a vital resource for growth, innovation, and everyday operations.

• Prepares for changing climate by helping Calgary adapt to hotter, drier conditions.

• Protects our shared rivers by reducing the amount of water we take from natural ecosystems.

• Supports our neighbours downstream by keeping river flows healthy and consistent.

• Benefits future generations by safeguarding Calgary’s water supply and natural ecosystems for decades to come.

Over the past 20 years, Calgary has grown significantly – adding more than half a million residents and expanding the number of homes, businesses, and institutions connected to the municipal water system.

That’s a big increase in demand – but thanks to proactive planning and long-term investments in water efficiency, The City has kept water withdrawals from the Bow and Elbow Rivers steady since 2003.

As Calgary and the surrounding region continue to grow rapidly, the progress achieved through the original 2005 Water Efficiency Plan has begun to plateau. Calgary’s overall water use is increasing signaling the need not only to renew existing programs, but also to develop new ones to help keep our water system resilient and sustainable.

In 2023, Calgary’s total per capita water demand was 356 litres per person per day. This number includes residential use alongside industrial, commercial, and institutional customers like hospitals, food processors, universities, and other water use including flushing of pipes to maintain water quality after repairs, firefighting, and water losses due to infrastructure leaks.

In 2024, water loss due to leaks was estimated at 22%. The remaining 78% of water produced is used by various sectors as follows:

• Residential customers account for approximately 60% of water use

• Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) customers use about 31%

• Regional customers (Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore, Tsuut’ina First Nation) make up 8%

• Municipal operations represent the remaining 1%

Water use in Calgary varies throughout the year. Daily peak summer water demand can be up to 40% higher than average daily water demand in winter, driven by outdoor irrigation, landscaping, construction, and cooling needs.

Minimizing water loss through proactive leak detection and asset management is a key action of the updated Water Efficiency Plan – and an essential part of Calgary’s broader water conservation efforts. By identifying and addressing leaks early, we can preserve valuable treated water, reduce unnecessary withdrawals from the river, and improve overall system efficiency.

The City’s Accelerated Water Loss Reduction Program is already underway as a separate initiative. The updated Water Efficiency Plan will align with and build on the anticipated savings from this program, ensuring a coordinated approach to reducing non-revenue water and supporting long-term water sustainability.

The updated Water Efficiency Plan will direct a range of practical and proven actions to help reduce water use and build long-term resilience, which may include:

• Expanding programs to detect and repair infrastructure leaks.

• Replacing aging water meters with updated technology, and leveraging data insights.

• Exploring water rate structures to incentivize efficient water use.

• Modernizing the Water Utility Bylaw to better support water efficiency.

• Implementing an outdoor watering schedule to better manage peak demand and make water-efficient practices part of everyday life.

• Developing new incentive programs promoting water-wise outdoor landscaping.

• Implementing targeted water efficiency programs for industrial, commercial, and institutional customers.