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Share the Water
Oct 06, 2010 09:15 AM
Share the Water calls for an update to Alberta's century-old water system to ensure communities don't run dry
A new Ecojustice report is making it impossible for politicians to ignore that household taps in southern Alberta could soon run dry.
Share the Water was released in October of 2009 and calls on the provincial government to update a century-old water system that, in times of drought, would have some homes cut off from water while industrial users with older water permits are left unaffected.
The report notes that a number of Alberta communities such Okotoks and Strathmore are projected to run out of water in the next five years. Time has already run out for those seeking new water licences on the Bow, South Saskatchewan and Old Man River basins, which are closed to new allocations.
Such demand has lead to a dangerous trend of “water marketing” where water licences are sold to the highest bidder, regardless of human or environmental need. Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner responded to the report’s findings and the province is undertaking a public consultation process over the next year to determine the best way to protect aquatic ecosystems and secure drinking water supply.
Ecojustice staff:
Barry Robinson
Barry Robinson
“Alberta’s freshwater supply is shrinking but demand is only going up. We need a plan to share the water.”
- Barry Robinson, staff lawyer
- Barry Robinson, staff lawyer
Our client:
Water Matters
Water Matters
