Hinton was one of 20 locations that the provincial government chose to host community conversations about water. On Thursday, Feb. 21, at least 50 people arrived at the Hinton Centre to talk water, including residents from outlying areas like Jasper.
“We’re hearing great ideas, so far,” said McQueen.
The evening conversations focused on four different themes: lakes, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), drinking water and wastewater systems, and water management. Participants spent 30 minutes discussing each topic. Each group had a facilitator, note taker, and one or two subject “experts” employed by the Alberta government.
Facilitators and experts mentioned repeatedly how impressed they were with the wealth of knowledge residents already possessed and how articulately they addressed their concerns.
Fracking was a popular topic. Many worries focused on technology safety and the risk of gas leaking into groundwater systems. On the internet, there are pictures and videos circulating of people in the US filling bottles with gas-contaminated water and lighting them on fire.
When asked why some people in Alberta have experienced this phenomenon, hydrogeologist Rob George said there has been a history of water wells containing gas pockets in Alberta. The gas was already there and not a repercussion of fracking, he clarified.
Fracking has been practised in Alberta for 60 years, McQueen pointed out, and 170,000 vertical wells and 41,000 horizontal wells have been drilled. “I can’t think of a more important investment,” she said.
Addressing safety concerns with the hydraulic fluids used, “reports are transparent about the chemicals,” she adds.
With Bill C-45’s relaxing of federal standards in regards to the security of waterways, there’s concern with fracking’s close proximity to some of the province’s lakes. Residents would like to see responsibility and accountability from the provincial government on this issue.
Another water safety concern is groundwater contamination. In December 2012, a document released through Access to Information legislation stated that a tailings pond near Fort McMurray is actively leaking into groundwater.
“In particular, modelling suggests that the groundwater is supersaturated with respect to iron and manganese oxyhydroxides,” states the report, co-written by 19 scientists.
None of the experts or facilitators openly addressed the leaking tailings pond. However, in response to the statement, they asked residents what principles the government should employ when dealing with similar issues.
Residents also worry that budget cuts will negatively affect policing of water issues and problems will continue to mount because there aren’t enough people or resources to enforce regulations. Industry accountability was a repeat concern throughout the evening.
Aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in Alberta’s municipalities was also discussed. Much of the technology is 50 years old and smaller municipalities won’t be able to absorb the cost of replacement.
Another water management concern is southern Alberta’s demand for water. Eighty per cent of water is in the northern part of the province, while 80 per cent of the demand is in the south, giving way to the issue of water transportation.
In response to international demands for water, McQueen stressed that “selling water rights won’t happen.”
In water conservation discussions, residents expressed that they would like to see more municipalities charge for water on a use-by-use basis, as opposed to imposing a flat rate.
Overall, residents said they’re looking for transparency, accountability and responsibility from the government when it comes to the province’s water. Above all, they said to put “water first.”
After the last water conversation on March 21, the government will create a “what we heard” document, said McQueen. The document will be consulted when reviewing water policies and the government may seek further engagement on issues that emerge as a result of these water conversations.
Those who didn’t attend a water conversation event can still have their say by filling out an online survey before March 29 at www.waterconversation.alberta.ca.
While residents expressed appreciation for the opportunity to potentially guide Alberta’s future water legislation, they don’t know for sure if the ripples they’ve created will turn into waves. The next step is turning words into actions.
It’s the government’s job now, as one resident remarked, to “prove it.”
