City of Lacombe Drought Information

While we’re not facing any water restrictions right now, being mindful of our water use is as important now as it ever was. Severe drought conditions in some areas of the Province remind us not to take our drinking water for granted. 

The good news is that the forecast for the Red Deer River Basin doesn’t show any major drought concerns yearaffecting the City’s drinking water supply. Still, we need enough rain and snow at the right time in the right places to reduce the risk of drought conditions next year. Thanks to our community’s already great habits, you are making every drop count. 

While things are okay for now, it’s important to stay aware of the long-term effects of drought. So, let’s stay water-wise and keep doing our part to protect this precious resource!

Residents and businesses are encouraged to treat water as a precious resource and avoid using more water than they typically do.

The water supply outlook for the Red Deer River Basin is currently considered below average, and neither interprovincial water-sharing agreements nor the North Red Deer River Water Services Commission recommends implementing water restrictions.

Major water license holders have agreed to voluntarily take less water if the drought situation becomes severe in the Red Deer River Basin or as directed by the Province.

In the event the water sharing agreement is “activated” the NRDRWSC will recommend the Town implement water conservation tactics aimed at reducing water use 5%-10% from May-October. More information on the NRDRWSCs water conservation plan is found here.

Current Conditions

Drought Current Conditions from Alberta.ca/drought: 

  • Red Deer River Basin Drought Stage: 1 of 5. 
  • Red Deer River Basin – The forecasts for the April-to-September period are below average. 
  • Red Deer snow surveys – The one site surveyed was 88% of average and 55 mm less than last year. 
  • Glennifer Reservoir / Dickson dam is 46% full – Below Normal. 

How is the City of Lacombe preparing

Lacombe's drinking water comes from the Red Deer River and is processed at the City of Red Deer Water Treatment Plant and transported to the City by the North Red Deer River Water Services Commission.

Monitoring conditions 

We continue to monitor the conditions in collaboration with provincial authorities and our regional partners.

In 2024, the Government of Alberta is facilitated Water Sharing workshops, which are voluntary agreements in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which license holders co-operatively work together to share the impacts of a water shortage by deciding how to share the available water supply. The North Red Deer River Water Services Commission (NRDRWSC) is the municipal water license holder for the City.

Preparing for outdoor water restrictions

City Council directed Administration to develop a City of Lacombe water conservation guideline to be deployed if and when needed. If approved, the City’s new guidelines are expected to include 4-stages with increasing levels of restriction. Stage 1 will involve voluntary actions focusing on advisories, education, and information sharing.

Water restrictions may be required in the event the drought situation becomes severe in the Red Deer River Basin or as directed by the Province. 

Reducing Water Loss and Strategic Management

The City conducts annual water audits to determine how much water is lost from its distribution system. The City is also developing replacement forecast scenarios such that the City can make smart infrastructure investments to reduce water loss.

What you can do

Although Lacombe’s water usage is already low per person, residents and businesses are encouraged to continue to treat water as a precious resource and avoid using more water than they typically do. Residents who wish to do more consider: 

  • Limiting outdoor sprinkler watering to a couple of days a week in the early morning or evening
  • Keeping your grass a bit taller (5 to 7 cm) and leave grass clippings on your lawn. This will help shade the soil and allow better moisture retention.
  • Hand watering gardens, flowers and plants. 
  • Using a rain barrel to capture rainwater and reuse it for lawn or plant irrigation. 
  • Cleaning the outside surface with a broom instead of a hose.
  • Check for and repair leaky faucets and running toilets
  • Stay up to date on the drought situation (alberta.ca/drought).

Understanding drought

Generally, Alberta relies on melting snow and precipitation for most of its water. Droughts are prolonged periods of dry weather that deplete water resources.

Water scarcity is already a reality in some areas of the Province, especially southern Alberta. Impacts from drought include:

  • Degradation or death of vegetation, fish and wildlife
  • Economic losses in agriculture and associated industries
  • Water restrictions, shut down of some licensed water diversions where water demands exceed water supply
  • Increased forest fire risk

Multi-year droughts are critical to understand and prepare for because their impacts on the environment, economy and society are cumulative. Because we do not know in advance whether a drought will become a multi-year event, the potential for prolonged droughts requires greater preparedness and resiliency.

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