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Title: Sheep River Water Report
Subtitle: Community Understanding and Policy Response
Prepared by: Dusty Williams
Date: July 2025

Introduction: Why This Report Was Written

The original Sheep River Water Report was created in response to growing community interest and concern about the long-term sustainability of our local water resources. While the initial report provided a strong overview of water availability, environmental pressures, and licensing realities in the Sheep River watershed, it became clear that additional context and clarity were needed to support informed public discourse and municipal decision-making.

This expanded version of the report was written to deepen that understanding — offering further data, historical insights, and updated community input. It aims to:

  • Expand on foundational findings from the original report, integrating new commentary and research.
  • Include additional relevant facts, such as infrastructure challenges, past and present governance, and local policy efforts.
  • Clarify complex topics like water licensing, cumulative withdrawals, and inter-municipal water service agreements.
  • Highlight optional and actionable community projects, including initiatives like the Lawn Buy-Back Program, potential LEED Silver policy adoption, and further collaboration with regional water stewardship organizations.
  • In short, this refined document seeks to equip residents, policymakers, and stakeholders with the information necessary to make specific, responsible, and forward-looking choices — ensuring that the Sheep River watershed remains a resilient, accessible, and sustainable source of life for the generations ahead. In the spirit of the Indigenous Seven Generations principle, this work looks not only to meet the needs of the present but to honour our responsibility to those who will follow.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Water defines life in our community — from household taps to the ecosystems that support us. Yet the full picture of our water future, licensing history, infrastructure limits, and policy gaps has remained difficult to access and understand.

This report, aims to change that.

It is the result of a months-long research effort, combining:

  • Public records, infrastructure reports, and licensing data
  • Expert consultation and community feedback
  • Visual tools and plain-language explanations

The goal is simple: to empower citizens and decision-makers alike with the information needed to make informed, equitable, and sustainable water decisions for Diamond Valley and surrounding areas.

Key findings:

  • Water licensing capacity may already be approaching limits, and further development may require additional allocations or transfers.
  • Infrastructure at the SRRUC intake and wastewater systems is nearing or at design thresholds.
  • Climate trends show increasing river stress in late summer, alongside rising water demand.
  • There is a gap in community knowledge around how water is allocated, shared, stored, and regulated.
  • Strategic opportunities — such as adopting LEED Silver as a local standard, investing in demand-side conservation, and working regionally — can help secure water sustainability long-term.

This report is not intended as criticism, but as contribution — a good-faith effort to support the town, its residents, and neighbouring rural partners in navigating complex questions with clarity.

We invite all residents, councillors, and community leaders to read, reflect, and build on the findings presented here. With transparent information, we can shape water policy that is responsible, inclusive, and forward-looking.

Section 1: Purpose and Approach

Water has always shaped life along the Sheep River, but increasing pressure from development, drought cycles, and infrastructure limitations is pushing us toward a critical moment in our community’s water story.

This report was initiated to respond to a key question:

Do we, as a community, have a clear and complete understanding of our water availability, usage, and planning capacity — and are we equipped to make responsible decisions for the future?

To answer this, we’ve taken a two-part approach:

A. Public-Facing Education and Awareness

  • Translate technical data into clear visual summaries, including flow charts, maps, and usage tables.
  • Clarify the structure of Alberta’s water licensing system, including transfers, holdbacks, and regional implications.
  • Highlight gaps in knowledge and transparency that could affect the community’s ability to understand and act.

B. Policy-Facing Support and Research

  • Compile documents from multiple agencies and municipal sources, including licensing histories, infrastructure reports, and water usage records.
  • Engage with stakeholder groups, including municipal councillors and NGOs.
  • Frame findings within the scope of the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), water licensing laws, and provincial water strategy priorities.

C. Neutral, Inclusive Framing

This is not a critique of past decisions — but rather a tool to help guide informed discussion and planning. The aim is to complement Council’s commissioned study and equip citizens with context that supports shared understanding.

2. Infrastructure and Capacity

A. Overview of the SRRUC System

The Sheep River Regional Utility Corporation (SRRUC) supplies potable water to Diamond Valley and surrounding municipalities through a combination of:

  • Surface water intake on the Sheep River
  • Pre-treatment settling ponds
  • Water treatment plant
  • Distribution lines across multiple jurisdictions

This system has served the region well, but population growth and tightening environmental discharge standards have strained capacity. A $20 million wastewater upgrade was recently completed to improve compliance and future readiness.

B. Known Constraints

  1. Intake and Treatment Capacity
    • SRRUC’s intake structure and pre-treatment steps are vulnerable to low river flows and seasonal sediment loads.
    • Treatment plant throughput is sized based on past population and industrial use patterns — but development is accelerating.
  2. Wastewater
    • The Westend Wastewater Treatment Plant now meets newer discharge regulations, but per-user costs have risen due to capital expansion and population lag.
    • Capacity may again be challenged if population grows without corresponding demand management or cost recovery.
  3. Storage and Redundancy
    • Limited local reservoir capacity or drought buffering.
    • Well infrastructure decommissioned post-2013 flood is no longer part of operational planning, removing an emergency fallback.
  4. Operational Transparency
    • Annual usage reports are available but difficult for the public to interpret.
    • Community stakeholders have requested clearer access to operational thresholds, triggers for restrictions, and cost per litre breakdowns.

C. Example: 2025 Infrastructure Report Insights

A review of raw water usage reports from March 2025 and feasibility studies for the Sheep River intake reinforce that:

  • System is near operational design limits during peak months
  • Back-up options are limited
  • Capital investments are difficult to predict due to unclear growth policies

D. Unresolved Issues and Questions

  • What specific thresholds (litres/day) define the safe upper operational capacity of SRRUC?
  • How does this align with the water licensing limits and seasonal river flows?
  • What are the current year-over-year trends in treated volume and wastewater discharge?
  • Is there potential to enhance off-season storage or reintroduce sustainable groundwater options?

E. Suggested Next Steps

  1. Request a plain-language summary of SRRUC’s operating capacity and thresholds.
  2. Seek clarification of costs per m³ for water treatment vs. wastewater handling.
  3. Explore regional backup options (e.g., joint storage, groundwater recovery).
  4. Evaluate LEED Silver’s emphasis on water demand management for new construction.

3. Water Licences and Transfers

A. Alberta’s Water Licensing Framework

In Alberta, water is governed under the Water Act, which allocates water rights through a system of licences issued by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA). The system is based on:

  • First-in-time, first-in-right (FITFIR): Older licences hold priority during shortages.
  • Licensed volumes and conditions: Each licence has a maximum diversion rate and annual allocation.
  • Purpose-bound use: Licences must be used for the purpose specified (e.g., municipal, irrigation, industrial).
  • Transferable rights: Some licences may be transferred, fully or partially, to other users or purposes, pending AEPA approval.

Water licences are not property — they are rights held in trust and may be restricted, amended, or revoked.

B. Diamond Valley’s Licence Situation

The Town’s current licences are held under:

  • Water Act Licence No. 00201994-00-00 (Transfer of Allocation, 2017)
  • Annual 1. Historical Water Supply from Wells

Current Licensing Structure

SRRUC (Sheep River Regional Utility Corporation) operates under Water Licence No. 00396081, which includes:

  • 36,367 m³/year transferred from a hydraulically connected well system in Turner Valley.
  • A priority number dating back to 1979—relatively senior, but still junior to some agricultural and in-stream flow licenses in the Bow sub-basin.
  • Expiry in 2042, with operational conditions tied to withdrawal timing, volume, and environmental flow needs

The 2018 SRRUC Communication Update confirms that prior to the 2013 flood, the Town of Turner Valley (now Diamond Valley) relied on seven groundwater wells located within the Sheep River aquifer system for its potable water supply.

1. Transition to Surface Water Post-2013 Flood

Following the destruction of six wells during the June 2013 flood, Turner Valley received emergency authorization to draw from the Sheep River directly. This marked a significant infrastructure transition toward reliance on surface water.

2. Well License Transfers to SRRUC

The 2017 Water Act Licence update outlines the formal transfer of water allocations from Turner Valley’s wells to SRRUC, including well IDs and volume entitlements. It confirms that six groundwater licenses were transferred, with updated points of diversion including a surface intake and infiltration galleries.

3. The Gravel Pit Reference and Location Confirmation

While no document specifically names the “gravel pit east of Black Diamond,” the well locations listed in the 2016 and 2017 reports suggest the former wellfields were generally located east of the town, near the Sheep River floodplain and within the proximity of gravel operations.

4. Well #7 – Status Still Unconfirmed

None of the referenced documents explicitly state the fate or reassignment of Well #7. However, if Well #7 was not among the six transferred licenses, it might still be inactive or decommissioned. You may wish to verify this directly via the original license database on Alberta’s Water Licensing Portal .

  • usage reports suggest that peak draw may approach licensed maximums during dry months.

Recent town documents acknowledge that to service all developable land, additional water licences may be required.

C. Challenges with Licence Transfers

Transferring a licence is complex, requiring:

  • Demonstration of historical use (not just allocation)
  • Hydrologic impact analysis to ensure no harm to downstream users
  • Regulatory review and possible public consultation

In addition, when licences are transferred:

  • Up to 10% of the volume may be held back by the Crown for in-stream ecological needs or public good (as per the Canadian Water Portal and AEPA policies).

This can reduce the usable volume in a transfer and deter speculative accumulation.

D. Municipal Policy Considerations

Okotoks, facing similar limits, once required developers to supply their own water allocation as a condition of approval — a policy that successfully curbed unplanned growth.

Diamond Valley may wish to evaluate:

  • Requiring water licence demonstration before approving large-scale development
  • Engaging in regional licence trading strategies
  • Encouraging conservation-based offset programs

E. Monthly Flow Chart: Sheep River (2015–2024)

Visually supporting these findings into the bar chart below:

This illustrates the narrow seasonal window in which reliable withdrawals can be made, reinforcing the challenge of planning for drought-resilient growth.

F. Unresolved Issues and Questions

  • What are SRRUC’s license utilization rates over the past 5 years?
  • How often have daily withdrawals approached or exceeded 80% of licence capacity?
  • Are instream flow needs (IFN) thresholds formally defined or enforced at the Sheep River intake?
  • If Millarville connects to SRRUC, will a new licence transfer be pursued, or must existing allocations be re-divided?
  • How will new Water Act studies commissioned by Council affect public access to licensing records and modelling assumptions?

Additional Note on Challenges of Transfer:

✔️ Licences can be transferred, but the process includes:

  • Regulatory application to Alberta Environment & Protected Areas (AEPA),
  • Assessment of source, purpose, and environmental impact,
  • Potential requirement for hydrologic or ecological study,
  • Public notice and possible appeals, and
  • Volume reduction due to mandatory hold-backs (typically 10%).

Key Insight: Transfers are not fast, not cheap, and not guaranteed. This underscores why towns like Diamond Valley must plan ahead and avoid overreliance on last-minute transfers to meet growth.

Section 4: Indigenous Water Rights & Reconciliation

Overview

Water management in Alberta—particularly within Treaty 7 territory—cannot be fully understood or responsibly governed without recognizing the historical and present-day water rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Sheep River basin lies within lands traditionally stewarded by the Îyârhe Nakoda, Blackfoot, and Tsuut’ina Nations. These Nations have long relied on local water bodies for physical, cultural, and spiritual survival.

While provincial licensing systems define water as a public good managed by the Crown, First Nations rights to water predate and transcend this system. As of now, Alberta’s water licensing framework does not formally allocate water rights to Indigenous communities, but this is changing.

Historical Context

  • The Treaty 7 agreement of 1877 made no explicit mention of water, yet it was signed under the assumption that traditional ways of life—fishing, hunting, and agriculture—would continue undisturbed.
  • Historically, the assumption that Crown licensing superseded Indigenous title led to systemic exclusion from decision-making in watershed governance.
  • Legal shifts are emerging across Canada, recognizing water as a treaty right through court rulings and negotiated agreements.

The Modern Landscape

  • The Government of Alberta has no standalone Indigenous water strategy. However, the 2008 “Water for Life” action plan acknowledged the need for meaningful engagement.
  • The Blood Tribe (Kainai Nation) and others in southern Alberta have publicly challenged water allocations that infringe on their rights or threaten ecological integrity.
  • The Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) and the Oldman Watershed Council have taken steps to include Indigenous knowledge and voices in planning frameworks, though inclusion varies by region.

Relevance to the Sheep River Region

While the Sheep River is not directly adjacent to a First Nation reserve, it flows through lands central to regional Indigenous history and ecology. As such:

  • Any significant policy changes (e.g., inter-basin transfers, large water license re-allocations, or SRRUC expansions) should be reviewed with Indigenous consultation protocols in mind.
  • Incorporating Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into local watershed planning strengthens both the ethical and ecological quality of decisions.
  • Supporting reconciliation through water governance could mean including Treaty 7 voices in advisory roles, or adopting Indigenous-led stewardship models.

Questions for Consideration

  • What steps has the Town of Diamond Valley taken to formally include Indigenous voices in watershed planning or infrastructure consultation?
  • Could a Treaty 7 engagement framework be developed for municipal use when pursuing water policy changes?
  • Are there cultural use zones or traditional water sites along the Sheep that merit co-stewardship or conservation support?
  • What learnings from Cows and Fish or BRBC’s Indigenous engagement can be adapted locally?

Section 5: Regulatory Overlap & Risk in Water Management

Overview

While the Town of Diamond Valley draws water from a single river and treats it through one regional system (SRRUC), the governance of that water involves multiple overlapping jurisdictions, regulations, and accountability structures. This complexity increases the risk of:

  • Gaps in oversight,
  • Delays in response to environmental stressors, and
  • Confusion or frustration among citizens and council alike.

This section outlines the regulatory framework, identifies key areas of overlap and underlap, and introduces questions about transparency, responsibility, and future readiness.

A: Primary Regulatory Layers

JurisdictionAuthorityRelevance
Municipal (Town of Diamond Valley)Water conservation bylaws, infrastructure funding, growth planning (MDP)Sets service levels, approves new development, manages SRRUC participation
Regional (SRRUC)Water intake, treatment and delivery, operational dataOperates under licenses and AEPA approvals, jointly owned
Provincial (Alberta Environment & Protected Areas)Water Act, EPEA, licence transfers, cumulative effects managementIssues and updates licences, conducts enforcement, manages hold-backs
FederalFisheries Act (flow alteration, sedimentation), Indigenous rights under ConstitutionTriggers apply in major infrastructure or FN-related cases
Indigenous/Treaty RightsInherent and constitutional rightsNot formally integrated into Water Act but gaining traction through case law and reconciliation efforts

B: Areas of Overlap & Challenge

  • Licence Monitoring vs. Use Transparency
    AEPA holds the legal authority to approve and enforce licences, but municipalities and SRRUC determine daily demand. It is unclear how often actual draw-downs are reported to the public, or how in-stream flow thresholds are verified.
  • Cumulative Effects & the MDP
    Diamond Valley’s Municipal Development Plan recognizes water as a growth limiter, but cumulative effects (including climate) are not integrated in a way that’s enforceable. Growth approvals may exceed actual water system capacity unless these risks are reconciled.
  • Infrastructure Risk Communication
    While AEP compliance inspections occur, they are infrequently publicized. In the 2017 inspection, Turner Valley scored 87%, but residents were unaware of this until years later
  • Public Trust & Confusion
    Residents don’t know which agency to ask about what. Is the town responsible for licensing? SRRUC for drought planning? AEPA for ecological flows? This has caused a breakdown in accountability perception.

C: Key Risks

  • Misaligned Development & Licensing Capacity
  • Insufficient Drought Response Planning
  • Gaps in Transparency & Enforcement
  • Delayed Reaction to Ecological Thresholds

D: Questions for Consideration

  • Has Diamond Valley ever paused or denied development due to water system capacity or licensing limits?
  • Who is tracking whether SRRUC withdrawals align with ecological flow needs, especially during low-flow years?
  • Do AEPA and SRRUC conduct joint scenario planning for future climate extremes?
  • How is the public informed of water licence status, infrastructure limits, and inspection outcomes?

6. Governance, Communication, and Public Trust

A. Navigating Complexity

Water governance in Diamond Valley involves a complex mix of:

  • Shared service delivery (e.g., SRRUC operations)
  • Provincial licensing and oversight
  • Inter-municipal coordination (e.g., pipeline proposals, growth planning)
  • Public accountability through Town Council and administration

When roles and responsibilities blur — or communication is inconsistent — it becomes difficult for the public to track who is responsible for what.

B. Public Engagement: Where Trust Breaks Down

Several community concerns emerged during this research project:

  • Lack of transparency in SRRUC’s water capacity and licensing position
  • Little clarity on the costs or consequences of further infrastructure expansion
  • Limited opportunity for citizens to contribute meaningfully to decisions that shape long-term water sustainability

Community confidence is impacted when:

  • Responses to public questions are delayed, partial, or overly technical
  • Planning decisions appear to outpace water readiness
  • Key reports (e.g., intake feasibility assessments) are buried in council agendas or inaccessible

C. Governance Touchpoints

TopicOversight EntityConcern
Water LicensingAlberta EnvironmentDifficult to interpret without guidance
Infrastructure OperationsSRRUCReports not routinely published
Town PlanningMunicipal Council/AdminWater not always framed as a growth constraint
Regional Water SupplyInter-municipalPublic unclear on trade-offs

7. Collaboration, Innovation, and Policy Response

A. Why Local Collaboration Matters

Water management in Alberta is regulated provincially — but it’s ultimately lived locally. Community resilience hinges on partnerships that are:

  • Inter-municipal (e.g., SRRUC, Foothills County, Calgary region)
  • Cross-sectoral (e.g., watershed groups, academic partners, industry)
  • Civic and grassroots-led (e.g., citizens’ coalitions, stewardship initiatives)

Diamond Valley has a history of environmental leadership — from solar installations to Repair Cafés — and can lead again on water.

B. Promising Local Initiatives

Some examples already in motion include:

  • Lawn Buy-Back Program – Targets outdoor water use through incentives and xeriscaping education
  • Rainwater Harvesting Expansion – Includes 1000L IBC tote installs and school-based demonstrations
  • Community Education Tools – Workshops, blog posts, infographics, and citizen forums
  • Research Alignment – Efforts such as this report help translate complex policy into public understanding C. Policy Levers Available to Council
Policy LeverExample Action
Adopt LEED SilverRequire for new municipal facilities (per 2009 provincial guidance)
Amend MDP for Water LimitsLink future development to available supply & licensing
Create a Water Transparency PolicyMandate regular public updates on licensing, flow, and usage
Mandate Water-Smart DesignEncourage or require water-saving infrastructure in new builds

Appendices

Appendix A

Questions and Comments from the Community

This appendix gathers notable feedback and questions from residents and Councillors in response to the original Sheep River Water Report. Themes include growth pressure on infrastructure, licensing limitations, the need for transparent planning, and community concern over rising water utility costs. The inclusion of this input strengthens the case for a proactive and integrated water strategy.

Appendix B

Sheep River Hydrometric Data (2015–2024)

Monthly average discharge data from 2015 to 2024 has been compiled to assess seasonal trends, flow variability, and early indicators of climate-related stress on the Sheep River. Key observations include:

  • Diminished early-season flow in recent drought years
  • Increased volatility between spring peak and summer low
  • Overall trend suggesting increased pressure on base-flow resilience

Visuals included:

  • Bar graph: Monthly Flow Comparison (2015–2024)
  • Annual averages summary table (not shown here for brevity)

Appendix C

Public Information Sources

A curated set of links and sources for further public exploration, including:

These resources provide ongoing data, policy updates, and citizen science tools for watershed management.

Appendix D

Governance History of Water Supply in Diamond Valley

This timeline traces the major governance changes in local water management over the past 70 years:

Accompanying Narrative (for Appendix D)

Timeline of Water System Management and Licensing

  • 1950s–1970s: Turner Valley and Black Diamond operated independent local wells, supplying untreated or minimally treated water to residents.
  • 1980s: Infrastructure upgrades introduced basic treatment and chlorination systems in both towns.
  • 1990s: The Province of Alberta began tightening regulations on water licensing and discharge, prompting towns to coordinate more closely on supply.
  • 2000: The Sheep River Regional Utility Corporation (SRRUC) was formed to oversee shared infrastructure, intake, and treatment operations.
  • 2007: Licensing responsibility began transferring from municipalities to SRRUC, consolidating water rights and operational duties under one entity.
  • 2008–2012 – Quad Regional Water Partnership formed; proposed shared water pipeline and corporation to manage regional potable water. Marked a turning point in inter-municipal water cooperation.
  • 2014: A new license for Well #7 was issued and later integrated into SRRUC’s portfolio. Intake feasibility studies commenced due to declining well reliability.
  • 2023: Turner Valley and Black Diamond amalgamated into the Town of Diamond Valley. SRRUC remained the regional water utility.
  • 2025: Council commissions a new water study to assess licensing, infrastructure needs, and long-term planning strategies.

This context helps explain how governance shifts over time may have contributed to gaps in transparency, uncertainty in license origins, and challenges in public understanding.

Appendix E – Data Visualizations & Technical Summaries

This appendix supports the main body of the report with accessible illustrations and succinct technical interpretations of core data. These visualizations enhance transparency and understanding for both technical and non-technical readers.

1. Sheep River Monthly Flow Rates (2015–2024)

Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Real-Time Hydrometric Database
Caption: Comparison of average monthly discharge volumes in cubic metres per second (cms) over a 10-year period (2015–2024), demonstrating seasonal variability and climate sensitivity in the Sheep River.

2. Water Governance Timeline

Caption: Chronological overview of governance shifts, collaborations, and infrastructure milestones related to water service delivery in the Sheep River region. Inserted in Appendix D

3. Water Licence Types – Summary Chart (Pending)

This graphic will break down key licence types referenced in the report:

  • Municipal licence volumes (e.g., for Diamond Valley, SRRUC)
  • Temporary diversion licences (TDLs)
  • Storage vs. direct diversion licences
    🔜 [Awaiting final responses from BRBC & Cows and Fish]



4. Policy Context

In Alberta, the Red Book (2009 Municipal Affairs Guidelines) recommends municipalities voluntarily adopt LEED Silver standards for public infrastructure to reduce long-term life-cycle costs and environmental impact. While not mandated, communities that lead in adopting these standards are positioned as forward-thinking and fiscally responsible.

5. Policy Rationale for Diamond Valley

Adopting a LEED Silver policy:

  • Aligns with sustainable development goals and the Municipal Development Plan (MDP).
  • Positions Diamond Valley as a leader in environmental stewardship.

Reduces long-term operational costs for public facilities.

  • Enhances eligibility for federal and provincial green infrastructure grants.
  • Supports local job creation in green construction and innovation.

Sidebar: Draft Resolution Language

Title: Municipal Commitment to LEED® Silver Standard for Public Facilities

WHEREAS environmental sustainability and resource efficiency are critical to the future well being of Diamond Valley;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Alberta, through the Red Book (2009), encourages municipalities to voluntarily adopt LEED® Silver certification for new municipal buildings;
AND WHEREAS adopting LEED® Silver standards aligns with Diamond Valley’s climate adaptation goals, water efficiency planning, and community values;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The Town of Diamond Valley adopt a policy that all new publicly funded municipal buildings and major retrofits shall be designed, constructed, and certified to a minimum of LEED® Silver standard or equivalent best-practice green building certification.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

This policy be integrated into the Town’s capital planning processes, MDP implementation framework, and municipal grant applications, effective [Insert Effective Date].

Notes for Public and Council

  • This resolution is non-binding until adopted by Council, but inclusion in this report demonstrates community support and vision.
  • A public-facing blog post will accompany this appendix to help community members understand the value of LEED and voice their support.

Sidebar: LEED Silver & Water Efficiency – What It Means in Practice

LEED® Silver certification isn’t just about green roofs and solar panels — it includes measurable water-saving benefits that align with Diamond Valley’s conservation goals:

  • Water-Efficient Landscaping: Encourages native, drought-tolerant species and minimizes potable water use — a perfect fit with xeriscaping and the Lawn Buy-Back Program.
  • Indoor Water Use Reduction: Targets a 20%+ reduction in building water consumption using low-flow fixtures and metering.
  • Stormwater Management: Promotes on-site retention and reuse to reduce pressure on municipal drainage systems.
  • Water Metering and Monitoring: Integrates smart metering to track use and detect leaks early.
  • Efficient Irrigation Systems: Where irrigation is needed, LEED prioritizes drip systems and weather-based controls.

These strategies are not theoretical — they’re already being used in schools, libraries, and town halls across Alberta. There are a number of individual LEED projects here locally, that have been completed over the past 20 years.

LEED Silver Checklist – Public Building Example

Credit CategoryKey Actions RequiredApplies to DV?
Sustainable SitesNative planting, bike storage, light pollution controlYes
Water EfficiencyIndoor/outdoor water reduction, meteringYes
Energy & AtmosphereHVAC optimization, renewables, energy meteringYes
Materials & ResourcesUse of local/recycled materials, low-emission productsYes
Indoor Environmental QualityVentilation, daylighting, low-VOC finishesYes
Innovation in DesignExemplary performance or pilot creditsOptional
Regional Priority CreditsWater conservation is a regional priorityYes

References

Government & Regulatory Sources

  • Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. (2024). Water Supply Outlook Report – April 10, 2025 (v4).
  • Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. (2017). Water Act Licence Update – Town of Turner Valley: Transfer of Allocation.
  • Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. (2017). Compliance Inspection Report: Town of Turner Valley Waterworks System.
  • Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. (2018). SRRUC Communication Update (Version 1).
  • Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. (2024). 2024 Annual Report – Stored Water, Reservoir Site Groundwater, Well and Infiltration Gallery Water Monitoring Programs – Diamond Valley.
  • Government of Alberta. (n.d.). Water Allocations and Transfers. Retrieved from https://www.alberta.ca

Legal and Administrative Filings

  • Alberta Environmental Appeals Board. (2014). Appeal Nos. 13-022-025, 14-011, 018-R.
  • Public Notice – Water Licence Transfer Allocation. (2017). Retrieved from Alberta Queen’s Printer.
  • Sheep River Regional Utility Corporation (SRRUC). (2017). Supplementary Info – EPEA Approval Application.

Hydrological Data

  • Water Survey of Canada. (2024). Sheep River Daily Discharge Dataset (2015–2024). Retrieved from: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca
  • SRRUC. (2025). Raw Water Usage Reports – March 2025.
  • Alberta Government. (2014). Sheep River Hydrometric Data – Appendix B.

Research & Technical Reports

  • AEPA & Matrix Solutions. (2016). Shallow and Groundwater Investigation – Settling Pond.
  • SRRUC. (2017). Settling Pond Assessment Update – March 9, 2017.
  • MPE Engineering. (2023). Sheep River Intake Feasibility Assessment (Redacted).

Municipal and Regional Records

  • Town of Diamond Valley. (2023). WWAC Minutes – March 28, 2023.
  • Town of Turner Valley. (n.d.). LEED Silver Library – Project Summary.
  • Quad Regional Water Partnership. (n.d.). Background Summary Document (2008–2012).

Community Submissions & Working Groups

  • Resident and Council Comments (2025). Collected from Sustainable Life blog and social media posts (July–August 2025).

Educational & Advocacy Organizations

Closing Thoughts

Thank you to everyone who contributed their insights, questions, and lived experiences in response to our original Sheep River Water Report. Your engagement has helped shape this expanded version into a stronger, more informed resource for the entire community.

This is a shared journey. Water is essential to life, and how we manage and protect it today will define the future we pass on to generations yet to come. We encourage continued dialogue, respectful discussion, and collaboration as we work together to ensure a resilient water future for Diamond Valley and our neighbours.

If you have further questions, observations, or suggestions, we welcome your voice. Community understanding is our most powerful tool.

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