Challenges in implementing economic instruments to manage irrigation water on farms in southern Alberta

In the absence of a Canadian national water policy, Alberta has developed a long-term water management plan called the Water for Life strategy. Because irrigation activities are so prominent in Alberta, accounting for 71% of the province's surface water use, successful implementation of this strategy will depend largely on the participation of the irrigation sector. Through a survey of irrigation officials, this study explores irrigators’ views on the likelihood of attaining one of the strategy's main goals—a 30% increase in water use efficiency by 2015 over 2005 levels. Irrigators’ views vary significantly as to the extent and means by which the 30% goal can be achieved and their views reflect the heterogeneity of farming conditions within the area. Hence, instead of a broad-based approach, implementation of the strategy will require research into developing economic instruments that can be effective under local conditions. This involves gaining a thorough understanding of the variability of factors that influence farmers’ decisions while being mindful that, as this study discovers, economic instruments as a concept have little support in the irrigation industry.