Winter-Ready Acreage Checklist for Foothills & Rocky View

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Septic system
Water well and cistern
Propane and heating
Driveway and snow
Exterior and outbuildings
Livestock and animals
Vehicles and equipment
Power outages and emergency prep
Wildfire and fuel cleanup before snow

Septic system

Check when the tank was last pumped. Alberta's guide: pump when sludge and scum reach 35% of the tank's liquid depth, typically every 1 to 3 years. Spring or summer is best, so if it's due, book it before freeze-up.
Leave the snow cover alone. Loose snow insulates the tank, pipes and field. Don't clear it, pack it down or push plowed snow onto it.
Keep traffic off. No vehicles, snowmobiles, ATVs or livestock on the tank or field. Packed soil and snow let frost in deeper.
Stake the tank lids and cleanouts above snow depth so they're easy to find for an emergency pump-out. Make sure lids and risers are closed tight.
Prevent freeze-ups: fix dripping taps and running toilets (a slow trickle can freeze in the pipe), test the pump alarm if you have one, and spread out warm laundry loads if lines start to freeze. Froze before? Ask a certified installer about insulating it.

Water well and cistern

Check the well cap: secure, vents clear, no gaps around the casing, and no settling or pooling water around it. Stake the wellhead so plows miss it.
Pressure tank and lines: look for leaks and make sure the pump and pressure tank work normally. Heat tape on exposed lines should be undamaged and on a working GFCI. Follow the maker's instructions.
Pumphouse: test the heater and thermostat, seal drafts, keep a thermometer inside and keep anything that burns away from the heater.
Test your water. Alberta Health Services tests private drinking-water wells: bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) twice a year, chemicals and trace metals every 3 years. Pick up bottles at an AHS public health centre. Bacteria samples must be dropped off within 24 hours. Ask AHS or the health centre whether there's a fee.
Hauled water and cisterns: book deliveries ahead of storms, keep the fill hatch marked, closed and clear of snow, and keep a plowed path for the truck. Use a hauler that delivers potable (drinking) water.

Propane and heating

Fill the tank early, before cold snaps and bad roads. Ask your supplier about scheduled deliveries so you don't run low.
Mark the tank and regulator with a flag or stake taller than the usual snow depth, and keep the driveway and path to the tank cleared.
Clear snow and ice gently off the tank, regulator, valves and piping with a broom or by hand. No shovels, kicking or snowblowers near them. If ice won't come off safely, call your supplier.
Service the furnace or boiler before heating season (and get the chimney swept if you burn wood). Change the furnace filter.
Keep outside vents clear of snow: furnace, water heater and HRV intakes and exhausts. Blocked vents can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up.
CO alarms: have them near bedrooms and on every level. Test monthly and replace by the date on the alarm. A propane gas detector adds protection.

Driveway and snow

Stake before the ground freezes: driveway edges, culverts, approaches, the well, septic lids and the propane tank.
Book a plow contract early. Agree on when they come (snow depth), where snow gets piled (not on the septic field or over culverts) and who pays for damage.
Before freeze-up: top up and grade gravel, fill potholes and clear culverts so spring melt can drain.
Digging or setting posts? Request free utility locates from Utility Safety Partners (utilitysafety.ca, 1-800-242-3447) at least 3 to 5 working days ahead.
Stock sand or ice melt for slopes, steps and walkways.
Keep your rural address sign visible from the road all winter so emergency crews can find you.

Exterior and outbuildings

Disconnect, drain and store hoses. Shut off and drain outside taps (hose bibs). Frost-free taps still need the hose taken off.
Clean the eavestroughs and point downspouts away from the house and the well.
Shop and barn heat: service heaters, check gas connections, keep combustibles away and test smoke and CO alarms out there too.
Test the generator under load. Never run it indoors or in a garage. Connect it to the house only through a CSA-approved transfer switch installed by an electrician, never by backfeeding an outlet. Shut it off and let it cool before refuelling.
Store fuel safely: approved containers, not in the house, and away from the generator and anything that heats up.

Livestock and animals

Heated waterers and tank heaters: test them before the first hard freeze, check cords and GFCIs, then check daily in cold weather.
Plan for water every day. Horses need fresh liquid water; don't count on snow. Alberta Agriculture says cattle can use snow only when it's plentiful, clean and not crusted, with daily checks and a backup. Cows in early lactation need water.
Line up hay and feed for the whole winter now and store it dry and off the ground. A feed test helps you plan rations with your vet or nutritionist.
Shelter and windbreaks: check windbreaks, run-in sheds and fences, and stock dry bedding.
Pets: bring them in during cold snaps and keep their outdoor water from freezing.

Vehicles and equipment

Block heaters: test cords and plugs, and use outdoor-rated extension cords.
Service the snowblower, tractor and ATV: oil, belts, shear pins, tires or chains and fresh fuel. Mount the blade or blower before the first snow.
Vehicle winter kit: shovel, sand or traction mats, booster cables, blanket, warm clothes, flashlight, snacks, water and a phone charger.
Before you drive, check road conditions with 511 Alberta (call 511 or visit 511.alberta.ca).

Power outages and emergency prep

Build a kit for at least 72 hours (Alberta suggests up to 14 days of supplies if you have room): water, food that needs no cooking, flashlights, batteries, radio, first-aid kit, medications, power bank, cash and pet supplies.
No power means no well pump. Store drinking water: Alberta's guide is 4 litres per person per day. Keep extra water in jugs or buckets for flushing toilets.
Plan safe backup heat and keep warm clothes and blankets handy. Never use a barbecue, camp stove or generator indoors.
Get alerts: install the Alberta Emergency Alert app and sign up for outage alerts from your power company.
Post phone numbers: 911 (emergency) · 811 Health Link · FortisAlberta outages 310-WIRE (9473), if they're your power company · your gas or propane supplier's emergency line · your county office · your vet · a neighbour.

Wildfire and fuel cleanup before snow

Clear the first 1.5 m around the house: rake up leaves, needles and dead plants so nothing burnable touches the walls or deck (FireSmart).
Move firewood piles 10 to 30 m from the house (FireSmart's Extended Zone), not stacked against buildings.
Mow grass short near buildings: FireSmart says grass under 10 cm is less likely to burn intensely. Dead grass is spring fuel after the snow melts.
Burning brush piles? Rocky View County and Foothills County both require a free fire permit year-round. Check for fire bans and follow the permit's conditions.

Who to call

Need a hand? Find local pros in these categories:

More on one of the biggest fall jobs: when to pump your septic tank.

Sources

General information only, not professional advice. Follow manufacturer instructions, Alberta codes and your county's rules, and use licensed or certified pros where required. In an emergency, call 911. Checked October 2026.

Winter-ready acreage checklist for Foothills & Rocky View