Buying and selling water is a reality in Alberta — sometimes for big money
When a moratorium was placed on the South Saskatchewan River Basin in 2006, Canada’s first market-based system to trade water licences was created. And while benchmark prices have been set, there's a lot of murkiness involved.
![Buying and selling water is a reality in Alberta — sometimes for big money](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7195508.1715034239!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/alison-davie.jpg)
![Alison Davie grew up on North Paddock Farm, located near Taber, Alta., and is a lifelong lover of farm life. Davie and her husband Michael took over operation of the farm from her parents 10 years ago. But they’ve never faced down drought conditions like those facing southern Alberta this year. A woman wearing a sweater stands in front of farm equipment.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7195508.1715034239!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/alison-davie.jpg)
When a moratorium was placed on the South Saskatchewan River Basin in 2006, Canada’s first market-based system to trade water licences was created. And while benchmark prices have been set, there's a lot of murkiness involved.