As droughts become more common, industries expand and populations grow, the Alberta government is studying how water is managed in the province and whether any rules need to change.

Over the past number of months, it has held a series of open-ended town halls, open houses, online surveys and other forms of engagement. It's all tied to a stated goal of increasing water availability and improving the water management system in Alberta. 

The first phase of that consultation has just wrapped up. Some…