The occupation and use of rural land in Alberta is impacted, to some extent, by the proximity to a source of water for potable and irrigation use. This paper discusses the interplay of water law and rural property transactions in Alberta. It reviews the Water Act, RSA 2000, c W-3, and in that context, highlights topics including: deemed licenses, new licenses, and transfers and assignments. It also discusses the Irrigation Districts Act, RSA 2000, c I-11, with a particular focus on terminable water agreements, household purposes agreements, rural water use agreements, remote delivery agreements, alternate parcel irrigation agreements, and transfer of irrigation rights.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Farm Issues in Red Deer on October 27, 2017 and in Lethbridge on November 3, 2017.