Adaptive Water Use Prioritization Policy 

Adaptive water use prioritization: 

• Is a flexible approach to water allocation.
• Balances water use among different sectors while ensuring economic and environmental sustainability. 

WSA has developed an Adaptive Water Use Prioritization Policy aimed at ensuring that Saskatchewan’s water resources are managed responsibly. Water use is prioritized based on the needs of different users. The three priority levels are: 

1. Basic Human Needs
   • Domestic and municipal use
2. Economic Benefits and Growth
   • Industrial
3. Agricultural
   • Animal welfare
   • Intensive irrigation
   • Non-intensive irrigation

Water use priority is important for: 

• Sustainability – Ensures long-term water security
• Economic growth – Supports businesses and agriculture
• Community well-being – Provides reliable water for all 

Water allocation decisions are flexible and consider factors like: 

• Source water supplies, water use and availability
• Stakeholder commitments, apportionment agreements and environmental needs
• Infrastructure capabilities
• Duration and timing of the needs
• Water users and compliance history 

• Adjustments to priority may occur in the short-term to accommodate emergencies.  
• An availability percentage based on water supply studies will be included in the water rights licence.  

During periods of shortage, water allocations are managed according to the WSA Water Shortage Policy, which outlines a three-phase approach: 

1. Pre-response: Identifying Shortages 

• Assess water supply (snowpack, runoff reports)
• Evaluate demand (licensing, usage, environmental needs)
• Identify at-risk areas using data and regional analysis 

2. Shortage Response 

• Decision-Making: Water Shortage Response Committee formed
• Communication: Notify and engage affected stakeholders
• Compliance: Consideration for monitoring and reporting requirements of water use
• Flexibility: Ability to update and refine water shortage response as conditions evolve 

 3. Post-response: Recovery, Evaluation & Improvement 

• Notify stakeholders once a shortage has ended
• Support affected communities
• Review the effectiveness and efficiency of the response
• Implement policies and procedures
• Assess strategies for future shortages