REGINA — Monday, the Water Security Agency (WSA) announced it will make water and vacant land available to support farmers and ranchers experiencing drought conditions.
WSA owns and manages agricultural lands across Saskatchewan for water management purposes. Farmers and ranchers near WSA lands are encouraged to contact the agency to see if there are any underutilized or vacant lands that could be made available.
Farmers and ranchers are also not required to obtain a water rights licence when hauling water from a municipal supply like an RM tankload facility. If you own or occupy land near water like deep or shallow wells, springs, lakes, sloughs, streams, creeks and rivers and want to use it for watering stock or spraying crops, no permit is needed.
WSA will also be prioritizing farmers' and ranchers’ applications for licences. Hauling water from a WSA reservoir or other provincial water supply typically requires a temporary water rights license. These applications will be prioritized and issued within 48 hours or less.
WSA encourages producers to contact the Client Service Centre at 1.866.727.5420 or via email at client.service@wsask.ca for more info on available water supplies in their area and/or to obtain a temporary water rights licence.
