Alberta producers agree to reduce water usage in ongoing drought

Canadian farmers across Alberta agreed to use less water this summer to combat the ongoing drought.

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The northern nation’s latest drought monitor shows the province is consumed with drought for the fourth consecutive year. Crops and pasture lands are facing anywhere from abnormal to exceptional levels of dryness.

Alberta’s Environmental Minister says water license holders have signed a new memorandum of understanding covering four river basins. Municipalities will voluntarily reduce water consumption by 5 to 10 percent, while industries will use the minimum amount needed for reliable operations. Irrigation districts have also agreed to use less.

The last time the province initiated water-sharing negotiations was in 2001 and as of now, there appears to be more water available now compared to then.

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