Reclaiming Our Water Future: From Panic to Planning

Intro – The Moment We’re In

“Water for the town seems to have been forgotten. Damn the river? Drill more wells? Boil rain water? Move to Okotoks?”

That single comment from last week’s discussion summed up the unease many of us feel. In a dry year, when rivers run low and growth pressures keep rising, it’s no wonder water has become the topic on everyone’s mind. Yet behind the concern is something more powerful — a shared realization that the future of Diamond Valley’s water depends on what we do next.

Over 1,040 residents and others joined the conversation around sustainability this week, with hundreds commenting, asking questions, and offering solutions. The new council has voiced its concern about water availability, and the public response shows that the community is ready to act.

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Understanding Where We Stand

Our water comes from the Sheep River, a small but vital system that has always defined our town.
After the 2013 flood, we shifted from local wells to a surface water supply — a decision that made sense at the time but left us dependent on seasonal flow and provincial licensing. Add hotter summers and reduced snowpack, and the result is a fragile balance that can’t be taken for granted.

Water isn’t limitless, but it’s manageable when we work together.

Late-season low flow in Sheep River, highlighting local water challenges.”

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The False Choices We Hear

It’s easy to think the only solutions are big ones — more wells, new intakes, or expensive infrastructure. But these can take years and millions of dollars, while everyday actions can start saving water today.

We don’t need to choose between panic and passivity. We can choose participation.

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Local Solutions, Real Results

The Rain Tote Program helps households capture and reuse rainwater for their gardens and landscapes — reducing treated water use and storm runoff. Each 1,000-litre tote installed helps recharge the soil, protect the river, and model small-scale resilience.

The Lawn Buy-Back Program offers residents incentives and guidance to replace water-hungry lawns with drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly gardens. Each conversion saves thousands of litres of water and creates healthier, cooler neighbourhoods.

Grey-Water Pilots and LEED-Silver building standards are longer-term goals that align with the same vision — using resources wisely and designing for the next 50 years, not just the next season.

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Community: Our Missing Infrastructure

Pipes and pumps are critical, but they can’t do the job alone. Real resilience starts in backyards, schools, and workshops.
When residents install a rain tote, when students volunteer at a xeriscape build, or when local businesses design better landscapes — that’s capacity building. It’s local infrastructure built by community hands.

These are the foundations of water security that don’t require waiting for provincial funding — just willingness, knowledge, and connection.

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A Call to Council and Community

The opportunity is here for the new council to partner with residents through the Green Reserve Fund, supporting programs that combine environmental impact with local employment.
Together we can show how community-led projects can extend the lifespan of our municipal systems, protect our river, and save residents money in the process.

Let’s make Diamond Valley a leader in community water resilience — one rain tote, one xeriscape, one conversation at a time.

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💡 Sidebar Update

Three Ways to Save Water Before Spring
• Reconnect your rain tote or barrel early.
• Switch to drought-tolerant plants this year.
• Watch for our first Lunch & Learn this spring — we’ll be exploring how LEED building principles help towns like ours plan for water efficiency and long-term resilience.

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External Links (credibility + context):

1. Government of Alberta Water Management Framework:
   https://www.alberta.ca/syshttps://www.alberta.ca/system/files/epa-water-management-in-alberta.pdftem/files/epa-water-management-in-alberta.pdf
2. Bow River Basin Council (BRBC):
   https://brbc.ab.ca/watershed-management-planninghttps://brbc.ab.ca/watershed-management-planning
   
3. Our World in Data – Freshwater Availability:
   https://ourworldindata.org/water-use-stress
4. LEED Water Efficiency Credits (USGBC):
   https://www.usgbc.org/credits/wat

Closing Reflection

“Sustainability grows when we share it — and that includes knowledge, effort, and responsibility. The more we understand our water, the more we can protect it.”