Calgary – April 28, 2026
City Council has approved Calgary’s updated Water Efficiency Plan, committing to reducing water loss and introducing a year-round lawn and landscape watering schedule. Together, these actions help ensure Calgarians continue to have reliable access to water for homes, businesses and essential services long into the future.
“When Calgarians turn on the tap, they expect water to be there today, tomorrow and as our city grows,” said Rehana Rajabali, Manager, Natural Environment & Adaptation. “Using water wisely is one of the most effective ways to protect the reliability of our water supply.”
The updated plan, which builds on decades of water efficiency success, focuses on reducing stress on aging infrastructure, managing Calgary’s water demand more efficiently and protecting the rivers that supply Calgary’s water. It sets a city-wide long-term goal to reduce water use by 20 per cent by 2040. The plan invests in leak reduction programs and modern water metering to make our water system more efficient. For Calgarians, the plan makes it easier to save water at home and outdoors through education programs and incentives for popular items like rain barrels.
Reducing water loss and strengthening infrastructure performance
The Water Efficiency Plan prioritizes the role The City plays in leading by example. These actions include:
reducing water loss through proactive leak detection and renewal of aging pipesmodernizing water meters to improve data and early leak detectionexploring conservation-oriented rates to support efficient water useusing better information to guide system operations and future investments
“We heard from many Calgarians in recent months who want to see The City take leading actions,” said Rajabali. “Addressing water loss is a core pillar of the Water Efficiency Plan, and we are investing in leak detection, repair, metering and system optimization.”
Managing outdoor water use more efficiently
As part of the plan, Council has approved the introduction of a year-round lawn and landscape watering schedule.
“Lawn and landscape watering is one of the biggest drivers of peak summer water demand, which can be up to 40 per cent higher than an average winter day,” said Rajabali. “The lawn and landscape schedule helps everyone take turns so we can spread out water demand throughout the week.”
The schedule provides a practical and predictable way to water your lawn and landscape by:
Allowing sprinkler and irrigation watering up to three days a week, for as much as 45 hours per week.Spreading watering across assigned days, so everyone isn’t watering at the same time. Even street addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and odd addresses on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.Encouraging watering during cooler evening, overnight and morning hours (12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.) to reduce evaporation and support healthier landscapes.
Lawn and landscape watering schedules are a common best practice for water utilities and are used in many cities across North America to manage peak water demand during the summer months and keep long-term infrastructure costs down. Clear exemptions are included to allow for the watering of trees, food gardens and newly planted landscapes at any time.
The City will take an education-first approach as Calgarians adjust to the new schedule.
The watering schedule sets routine and predictable days for lawn and landscape watering. Water restrictions are different. They are temporary, more limiting and apply to a broader range of outdoor water uses.
“The Water Efficiency Plan is a renewed commitment to managing water wisely.” Rajabali said. “Small changes in everyday habits add up, and together they help protect our infrastructure, the rivers, and our city’s future.”
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