Alberta's water advocates are urging the provincial government to fund its water management plan properly — or face a crisis within the next 30 years.

The Water for Life strategy was created in 2003 to ensure the province has a safe and secure water supply. Critics argue the Klein government has never fully implemented or funded the plan.

Robert Sandford, chair of the United Nations water initiative in Canada, said water scarcity could limit Alberta's development in the near future.
(CBC News)

Robert Sandford, chair of the United Nations water initiative in Canada, said a growing population in Alberta, coupled with less snow and ice in the Rocky Mountains will make water the province's most pressing issue one day.

"Water scarcity could limit social, economic and environmental development in the near future," he said.

The best way to avoid that scenario is for the province to fully implement its Water for Life plan, he said. "It has been evaluated worldwide and many people see the merits in it, but it needs to be funded," he said.

'A lot of work to do'

Acting on the suggestions in the strategy will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, said Danielle Droitsch, head of the not-for-profit community group Bow Riverkeeper.

"We have a lot of work to do," said Droitsch. "My fear is that the government has lost interest in funding this initiative."

That commitment could come with a change in leadership in the provincial Conservative party. Several of the candidates for the leadership — including Lyle Oberg — have mentioned water conservation in their campaigns.

"We need to ensure we as humans have the best availability of water so that we can utilize water to its maximum degree but not too much," said Oberg.

Droitsch and Sandford argue that if the Water for Life plan is not fully followed the province could face a water crisis within 30 years.

Since the strategy was released, the province has spent $15 million on Water for Life. Another $171 million has been earmarked for spending over the next three years. Advocates want to ensure that money — and more — is actually spent on the plan.