Water

Goal: To improve the quality of our water resources and increase water conservation.
Water Resources Infographic

Sustaining our water resources includes understanding and effectively managing issues such as water conservation, water quality protection, watershed well-being, and storm and surface water management. When managed sustainably our watershed, river and municipal water system will support the health of citizens, maintain aquatic and terrestrial environments, enable a variety of beneficial ecological services, provide community recreation options and support a robust local economy.

What can you do?

Check out our progress towards achieving our water quality and conservation goals below.

Potable water consumption

Potable Water Consumption

Monitoring potable water* consumption of residential (RES) and industrial/commercial/institutional (ICI) users in litres per capita per day.

2022 Results
  Baseline (2009) 2022 Result Target (2035)
RES (litres per capita per day) 242 187 169
ICI (litres per capita per day) 135 98 95
Historical Results
  RES (litres per capita per day) ICI (litres per capita per day)
2022 187 98
2021 196 101
2020 192 97
2019 180 103
2018 193 108
2017 191 108
2016 192 108
2015 203 110
2014 195 112
2013 204 118
2012 210 120
2011 211 122
2010 no report no report
2009 242 135

* potable water is treated drinking water

Annual water loss

Annual Water Losses Recorded

Monitoring total water loss including metering inaccuracies, data handling errors, unmetered City operations as well as water thefts, pipe leakages and water main breaks. This is calculated as a percentage: total water lost divided by total water in the system. 

2022 Results
  Baseline (2015) 2022 Result Target (2035)
Annual water loss 15% 4% 7%
Historical Results
  Annual water loss
2022 4%
2021 3%
2020 4%
2019 6% 
2018 6%
2017 7%
2016 11%
2015 15%
Water quality

Water Quality of Receiving Bodies

Monitoring surface water* quality in Red Deer.

2022 Results
  Baseline (2016) 2022 Results Target
Total Phosphorus 0.0135 mg/L 0.012 mg/L  Maximum 0.017 mg/L 
Total Nitrogen 0.410 mg/L 0.440 mg/L  Maximum 0.381 mg/L 
Total Suspended Solids 3.4 mg/L 3.05 mg/L  Maximum 4 mg/L 
Dissolved Oxygen 11.2 mg/L 10.88 mg/L  Minimum** 10.4 mg/L 
E. coli  11 counts/100 mL 15 counts/100 mL Maximum 9 counts/100 mL 

Historical Results
  Total Phosphorus (mg/L) Total Nitrogen (mg/L) Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) E. coli (count/100 mL)
2022 0.012 0.440 3.05 10.88 15
2021 0.012 0.430 3.20 10.97 13
2020 0.0120 0.410 3.25 10.9 13
2019 0.0110 0.390 2.90 11.0 11
2018 0.0120 0.400 3.10 11.0 11
2017 0.0125 0.410 2.90 11.2 11
2016  0.0135 0.410 3.40 11.2 11

* surface water is any body of water found above ground, e.g. rivers and creeks

** Adequate dissolved oxygen is necessary for good water quality. For example, when dissolved oxygen becomes too low, fish and other aquatic organisms may be impacted.