Drainage Approvals

Saskatchewan is known for providing food to the world and for having an extremely diverse landscape with abundant forests, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Saskatchewan landowners use drainage to improve farm efficiency and soil health, reduce farm inputs, and increase food production, all while still practicing environmental stewardship. Water Security Agency’s (WSA) Agriculture Water Management Program offers farmers the information and services to obtain drainage approvals that will manage risk while supporting agricultural growth and environmental stewardship.

The process for approving a project has a number of steps and requirements that need to be completed. If you have questions about the requirements or need further information to complete your application, please submit an inquiry.

The Water Security Agency (WSA) has revised its land permission requirements for lands that may be impacted by drainage works. WSA now requires that drainage approval holders maintain land permission for any affected land that they do not own.

Preparation of a drainage application includes mapping all drainage works, securing legal land permission for all lands involved, communicating with all parties including WSA, designing required mitigation works (flow controls, erosion control), identifying wetlands to be retained within the network, and completing all the necessary paperwork. Many landowners will not have the time to dedicate to a drainage approval project. In most cases, they will need assistance from a Qualified Person (QP) to accurately plan, design and submit the application for approval of a drainage project.

Rural Municipalities (RMs) have an important role in water management on the landscape. RM infrastructure (culverts, bridges and road) regularly cross or interact with natural waterbodies, watercourses and drainage projects. RMs have a responsibility to collaborate with landowners to support responsible drainage in order to reduce flooding, improve safety and reduce property damage.