Alberta Water News for 2008...

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Alberta Water Council Announces Water Conservation, Efficiency and Productivity (WCEP) plans
Alberta Water Council - December 16
Some of Alberta's largest users of water are taking action to develop and implement water conservation, efficiency and productivity plans as part of the province's renewed Water for Life strategy. The sectors include: Chemical and petrochemical, Forestry, Irrigation, Mining, Municipalities, Oil and gas, and Power generation.

All of the sectors are active members of the Alberta Water Council, and have committed to developing WCEP plans by December 2010 through their various sector associations. The WCEP plans will take a sectoral approach to meeting specific conservation, efficiency and productivity targets, with implementation at the regional level, on a company by company, or community by community basis. All of the plans will be made available to the public, and accountability for implementation will come through an annual reporting process through the Alberta Water Council.


Leduc County raises water rates 28% for 2009
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Leduc Representative - December 12
Residents of Leduc County will notice a nearly 30 per cent increase in the cost of their water next year. Under the new schedule, water will cost $2.31 per cubic metre — up 51 cents from last year’s rate of $1.80.


Calgary to charge neighbouring communities more for water
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Calgary Herald - December 4
Calgary's neighbouring communities only pay for the cost of delivering the water to the city’s limits, while city customers also pay for things such as maintenance and operating costs, as well as billing. As well, the water itself isn’t charged for. “We are looking at the aspect that there’s no charge for the actual water,” said Wolf Keller, the city’s director of water resources. “I’m not sure where that’s going to go. We’ll have to talk to council about that and see what they think. “It’s a complicated issue.” Alex Broda, the city’s director of regional servicing, said additional information on master agreements will be coming in the new year, based on work by the Calgary Regional Partnership.


Final Land-use Framework Announced
Government of Alberta News Release - December 3
Alberta's Land-use Framework has been released with the addition of the Efficient Use of Land strategy, another planning region for the Red Deer Region, and a priority to develop legislation. The Framework will ensure future land development considers cumulative environmental impacts, as well as social and economic factors. The Land Use Framework recognizes that while the Red Deer Region will be considered a distinct region for land-use purposes, watershed management policy for the region will be aligned and set within the context of the planning for the greater South Saskatchewan River Basin.


Petrobank wins approval for water efficient heavy-oil project expansion
Edmonton Journal - November 29
Petrobank Energy's Whitesands site had three insitu wells demonstrating the THAI (toe-to-heel air injection) process that could replace the current SAGD (steam assisted gravity drainage) and CSS (cyclic steam stimulation) systems used to extract bitumen that is too deep to mine. The process offers high recovery rates -- up to 80 per cent of the oil in place compared with 20 to 50 per cent for SAGD. It also uses little natural gas and water. In THAI, air is pumped under pressure into the toe of the reservoir, creating natural combustion to heat the cold heavy oil, which flows into horizontal slotted pipes.


Drumheller to open water taps for Kathyrn
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Rocky View weekly - November 19
After refusing to provide water for a Balzac regional shopping centre and horseracing track, the Town of Drumheller will support a large residential development in the MD of Rocky View. The decision means water will be made available for Kathyrn, where the MD has approved a conceptual plan for a 2,000-unit subdivision. Drumheller Mayor Bryce Nimmo said the Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission will be allowed to resell water to the development in Kathyrn..


Jumpingpound Creek Watershed Partnership gets funding boost
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Rocky View weekly - November 19
The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration has granted the Jumpingpound Creek Watershed Partnership $132,750, for the development of a water balance model and related goals. The grant was endorsed by the MD of Rocky View, which approved a contribution agreement with the federal government, acting as the partnership’s treasurer..


Water for Life strategy renewed to reflect changes in province
Alberta Environment - November 19
After reviewing the Council’s recommendations and the achievements of the past five years, the Alberta government has released a renewed Water for Life strategy .


Provincial funds support watershed stewardship groups
Alberta Environment - November 19
A $250,000 installment to the Alberta Stewardship Network’s Watershed Stewardship Grant Program will help with community-level action to safeguard Alberta’s water resources. There are more than 140 watershed stewardship groups throughout Alberta involved in on-the-ground measure to protect Alberta’s water.


Alberta to ban weed-and-feed for lawns
Edmonton Journal - November 14
Alberta will ban the sale of lawn-care products that combine herbicide and fertilizer, the province's environment minister announced today. The ban, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, is meant to help protect the quality of water downstream of cities and towns.


Autumn precipitation below to much normal in most areas of Alberta
Alberta Environment - November 12
Fall precipitation totals (September through October 2008) were generally below to much below normal with the lowest precipitation amounts recorded across the middle of the province. Above to much above normal precipitation was recorded in the High Level region and the Lethbridge – Milk River- Cypress Hills area. Some mountain and foothill areas west of Calgary and High River recorded below normal to normal precipitation. Precipitation during the month of October was much below normal in Alberta except for the Drumheller-Oyen and Fort McMurray areas which recorded generally above to much above normal precipitation.


Alberta to announce a new policy on the resale and transfer of water
Canadian Press - November 5
Faced with shortages and a growing population, Alberta wants to make it tougher to resell fresh water. Alberta Environment has a draft policy that would restrict groups, such as irrigation districts from reselling water to golf courses, industry or residential developments. The change would limit such sales to two per cent of the volume of a water licence and make applications subject to government approval and oversight. The province is expected to make a decision on the proposed change early in the new year.


Edmonton and Calgary to pay among the highest water fees of Canadian cities
Calgary Herald - November 3
The spikes to Calgary's water and sewer bills, which have yet to be given a final thumbs-up, would see a single-family home pay around $844 a year if they use 25,000 litres of water a month, excluding monthly fees for stormwater. This ranks Edmonton ($843 per year in 2008) and Calgary ($776 per year in 2008) as first and second-highest respectively among the cities surveyed.

However, simply comparing water and sewer rates between cities isn't always a fair comparison, since Calgary's entire water and sewer system is funded through the monthly bills and nothing else, while other cities also throw in cash raised from property taxes, accounting for why some of them have lower water rates than Calgary. Calgary's water rates in 2007 were fourth highest of 23 Canadian cities polled, behind only Burnaby, Ont., St. John's and Winnipeg. The increases on the table for the next three years would see the average metered household in Calgary pay around $200 more a year for water and wastewater in 2011 than they do now.


Elbow River changes course
Calgary Herald - October 27
The Elbow River has cut a major new channel through the city's only delta, creating a large oxbow lake on its western side. Such a change in course for a river is a rare event, especially within city limits in a popular recreation area.


$190M to flow into city coffers under Epcor takeover of Gold Bar plant
Edmonton Journal - October 24
The City of Edmonton stands to earn $190 million over the next decade by handing control of the Gold Bar sewage treatment plant to Epcor, says a new report. In addition to a $75-million transfer fee the city-owned utility would be required to pay over seven years, the move would also see Epcor provide an extra $115 million in fees and dividends by 2018, the report says. Most of that growth would come from increased revenues as Epcor expands its investment in water and wastewater treatment plants for communities and companies outside the city.


First oilsands upgrader to rely solely on underground water opens today
Regina Leader Post - October 23
The first phase of the $6.1 billion Long Lake project officially opened today, and was called the future of oilsands development. Long Lake will be the first to depend on a patented gasification technology to use asphaltene residues from the upgrading process to produce virtually all of the fuel gas required to supply the SAGD wells, to power the upgrader as well as produce hydrogen to feed the hydrocracker. Long Lake will have operating costs of about $10 per barrel, a major advantage over conventional operations. Long Lake is also the first oilsands upgrading development to rely solely on underground water sources.


Government Creates New Regional Water and Wastewater Services Commissions
Orders In Council - October 23
Approved Orders in Council have now established the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater Services Commission, consisting of Lacombe County, the Town of Blackfalds and the Town of Lacombe, to provide and operate a wastewater supply system. Also establishes the Westlock Regional Water Services Commission Regulation to establish the Westlock Regional Water Services Commission, consisting of Westlock County, the Town of Westlock and the Village of Clyde, to develop and operate a regional water transmission system.


New Fort McMurray waste water treatment plant nearing completion
Fort McMurray Today - October 23
Fort McMurray’s new waste water treatment plant is scheduled to begin treating some water in November, with full-scale startup scheduled for spring 2009. Designed to service a population of about 133,000 — a number not only reflective of Fort McMurray’s growing population, but camp workers at oilsands developments, the $220-million project was started in 2004. One drop of water will take about 24 hours to move through the plant from start (being cleared of inorganic waste like garbage and debris) to finish (passing through UV light to kill off any pathogenic organisms).

One of the plant’s waste removal methods — biological nutrient removal, or BNR — was developed in South Africa and adapted to cold-weather climates over the past 30 years. The method uses different kinds of microbes to “eat” carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous out of waste water. Another of the plant’s highlights is its compost facility, which will convert the solid organic waste culled from the water, mix it with “hog fuel” (a nickname for wood waste products), and create a high-quality compost.


Calgary water rates to increase by 25%
Calgary Herald - October 16
A plan to hike Calgarians' water bills by 25 per cent over the next three years is on its way to council after a city committee approved it Wednesday. But residents fearing the spectre of higher bills shouldn't expect similar hikes after those three years are up, said Wolf Keller, the city's director of water resources.

Major projects -- such as the Pine Creek wastewater treatment plant -- are expected to be finished by 2011. That means future rate spikes will likely drop to the inflation rate or less, compared to the approximately eight per cent a year being pitched now, Keller said. "It will taper off and go back to traditional levels," Keller said. The hike, which city staff say is needed to pay for hundreds of millions of dollars in critical water infrastructure, would see the average residential metered water bill hit $89.11 a month in 2011. The average bill currently sits at $70.74 a month. The increase would be around $220 more a year in 2011 than the average water bill is now. Non-metered users would be hit a little harder, paying about $260 per year more in 2011 than they did this year.

Back in June, Epcor in Edmonton announced water rate increases to cover costs for upgrading its E.L. Smith plant, and based on their forecasts, a typical family of four that would have paid about $26 a month in 2006, would see their rate would go up to around $34 by 2009, and finally in 2011, top off at $35.


Rocky View gives green light to Harmony
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Rocky View Weeekly - October 14
The largest residential project in the MD of Rocky View was given a vote of confidence last Tuesday when council endorsed the first stage of development. Harmony, a plan proposing construction of a village core, several residential neighbourhoods and business areas in north Springbank, also received land use approval.The entire Harmony project includes a total 3,500 homes, as well as retail, institutional and industrial components to be developed over a 10 to 15-year period depending on market conditions, on 1,748 acres located west and north of the Springbank Airport boundaries.

Harmony has provincial approval to withdraw water from the Bow River, which would be stored in a 48-acre lake and treated in a stand-alone facility on the site. Harmony will also feature a centralized collection and treatment wastewater system that will dispose of treated effluent by irrigating its golf course and other open spaces.


Rocky View rescinds Plan 8
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Rocky View Weeekly - October 14
In an unprecedented decision, the MD of Rocky View council killed controversial Plan 8, which included building homes for about 58,000 residents on 10,000 acres of farmland bound by the City of Calgary, the Elbow River and the Tsuu T’ina Nation Reserve. Without support from the City of Calgary, the Province or residents in areas slated for development, council elected to scrap Plan 8 and look at a more regional solution.

Calgary told Rocky View it did not support the draft Plan 8 and it’s plans to dispose of treated sewage into the Elbow River just upstream of the Glenmore Reservoir, which provides drinking water for 400,000 city residents. Concerns had also been expressed about the ability of Highway 8 to handle additional traffic and the lack of clear servicing solutions for water and wastewater. However, in a letter to the MD, Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier supported initiatives to provide servicing to the area on a regional scale.


Multi-million dollar research agreement to improve water management and use in Alberta
Government of Alberta News Release - October 9
A new research agreement between the Alberta Water Research Institute and GE Water & Process Technologies will result in two projects - a $15 million project focused on technology to improve the treatment and re-use of water in some oil sands operations, and a second initiative on the development of a world class educational program for business executives on advanced water management strategies.


Central Alberta water project moves ahead despite costs
AlbertaLocalNews.com - October 4
A $45-million regional waterline in east Central Alberta is about two-thirds complete and on schedule for a spring 2009 completion, despite tendering problems with a related Stettler water treatment plant upgrade. The 142-km project involves building a pipeline from Stettler water treatment plant through Halkirk, Coronation, Castor, Veteran and Consort. The upgrading will allow communities to discard using well water of questionable quality for a better and more reliable source of water.


Government Creates The West Inter Lake District Regional Water Services Commission
Order In Council - October 1
Establishes the West Inter Lake District Regional Water Services Commission consisting of Parkland County, Lac Ste. Anne County, Town of Onoway, villages of Wabamun, Alberta Beach, Lake View and Seba Beach and the summer villages of Sunset Point, Val Quentin, West Cove, Ross Haven, Sandy Beach, Sunrise Beach, Yellowstone, Nakamun Park and Castle Island to provide and operate a water supply system.


ATCO launches new water division
Market Wire - September 30
ATCO Group today launched ATCO Water, a company focused on designing, building and operating leading edge water and wastewater infrastructure and facilities for both industry and municipalities. ATCO Water has reached an agreement with GE Water & Process Technologies to draw on its leading technologies, especially in the fields of purification and advanced recycling. ATCO Water, a division of ATCO Energy Solutions, will pursue water opportunities both within Alberta and internationally.


Water tests for Lesser Slave Lake’s south shore
Lakeside leader - September 30
The members of the Regional Environmental Action Committee, have wrapped up a year’s worth of ‘baseline water tests’ along Lesser Slave Lake’s south shore. Test results should be returned within a few weeks, and the group is hoping for low scores. REAC began testing last spring, after receiving a grant from the Alberta Stewardship Network.


Study: Use of water-saving fixtures
Statistics Canada - September 25
The proportion of Canadian households using reduced volume toilets more than doubled from 15% to 37% between 1994 and 2006. At the same time, the percentage of households with a low-flow shower head rose from 44% to 57%. Environment Canada estimates that Canadians on average consumed 329 litres of water a day in 2004 on a per capita basis. Toilets and shower heads accounted for slightly more than half of the water consumed indoors. Households with water meters were more likely to use reduced volume toilets than those paying a flat rate for their water, but the same trend was not found for low-flow shower heads.


'Misunderstanding' halts Cochrane water plant work
Cochrane Times - September 24
The Bow River intake portion of the water treatment plant expansion project has been halted until at least mid-November. Transportation Canada served the Town of Cochrane with a stop work order under the Navigable Water Protection Program on Sept. 5 at which point in-river work stopped. Matrix Solutions, one of the Town’s consultants, mistakenly thought it had received the necessary approval from Transportation Canada in April, but the approval was actually for a similar project 10km downstream. “They didn’t double-check the file numbers,” said Gary Wagner, Town of Cochrane environmental coordinator.


Ducks Unlimited 2008 Fall Report
Ducks Unlimited - September 23
The prospects for the fall flight are generally good across Canada this fall. Wetland conditions have improved or remained stable in many areas with recent rains, and are providing adequate habitat for migrating waterfowl.

Waterfowl production and brood survival was average this year in Alberta and an average fall flight and hunting season is anticipated. Ducks Unlimited Canada staff report good early season hunting on local Canada geese and ducks. Flocks of gadwall, American wigeon and blue-winged teal are also being observed.


MD Rocky View working on new wetland conservation policy
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Rocky View Weekly - September 23
Residents in the Municipal District of Rocky View will be able to provide input while getting acquainted with an initiative to draft a first wetland conservation policy. On Oct. 2, a half-day workshop on wetland conservation policy will take place in council chambers. The initiative comes on the heels of a multi-year inventory work, developed by the MD, the City of Calgary, Alberta Environment and the Western Irrigation District.


Alta construction company charged in deaths of hundreds of fish
Edmonton Sun - September 23
A construction company charged in the deaths of hundreds of fish in southern Alberta made its first appearance in provincial court Tuesday. Chinook Pipelines is accused of allowing chlorinated water to get into Pincher Creek’s storm sewer system two years ago. The charges laid by Environment Canada carry a maximum penalty of $1 million.


Universities collaborate on alternative power and water
Calgary Herald - September 23
Researchers in Alberta are conserving intellectual energy by co-ordinating their work on alternative sources of power and fuel and on water management through the Canada School of Energy and Environment. The CSEE, based at the University of Calgary, is a collaborative venture involving the universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge and their research and education related to balancing sustainable energy development and environmental management.


Fairview gets water plant upgrades
Fairview Post - September 22
Phase 1 of the upgrades for Fairview’s water treatment plant were completed earlier this year, now the town and its engineers have moved into Phase 2 of the project which is expected to be much more costly. The water plant was outfitted with upgrades to instrumentation and control mechanisms, which included turbidity meters, particle counters, pH and temperature sensors and chlorine analyzers in March. Alberta Environment passed more stringent regulations last year that required all water treatment plants in the province to undertake specific upgrades before the 2010 deadline.


Hinton becomes first municipality to employ Small Bore Sewer technology in its sewer system
Reed Business Information - September 18
Hinton is the first municipality in Western Canada to use an innovative sanitary sewer system, Small Bore Sewer (SBS) technology as part of Canada’s first built-from-scratch eco-industrial park.


Epcor may get Goldbar water facility
Edmonton Journal - September 18
The city will review whether to transfer the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant to Epcor in an effort to find a new revenue source. Since Epcor is 100 per cent owned by the city, it makes sense to look at whether taxpayers and utility rate payers might be better served by having Epcor run the plant and possibly increase the dividend it pays to the city. The review will look at the financial benefits and risks, along with non-financial considerations, including customer impacts, relationship impacts with key water industry stakeholders and employee concerns.


Alberta Water Council finalizes recommendations for a New Wetlands Policy and Implementation Plan
CNW - September 16
The Alberta Water Council submitted one of Canada's most comprehensive wetland policy and implementation recommendations to the Government of Alberta today. The Council expects it will take the Minister some time to complete a thorough review and respond. Rob Renner, Minister of Environment added that while the group did not reach consensus on all of the recommendations, he was certain that the implementation phase would alleviate concerns from any particular sector.

Click here...for additional information on the New Alberta Wetland Policy and Implementation Plan.

CAPP denies withdrawing from watershed council
Fort McMurray Today - September 16
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) is denying claims by environmental groups that it was stalling the implementation of a provincial watershed protection plan. The group further denied any hints it has withdrawn from the process as it remains committed to the implementation of a viable policy, according to David Pryce, vice-president of western Canada operations. The letters didn’t signal any withdrawal or rejection of a wetland policy, he said. “We’re not against the process, nor are we against the premise of a wetland policy,” he told Today.

Carolyn Campbell, of the Alberta Wilderness Association, one of the six groups that called on the province Tuesday to pass the policy as written, deferred comment on the groups’ reaction to the letters. “There was a miscommunication about timing,” she explained. Campbell added the groups were stepping back to allow the water council its time in the media spotlight with the subsequent release of a draft wetland policy and its implementation plan. But that doesn’t mean the groups have changed their minds. “We’re not stepping back from what we said,” she told Today. “We’ve agreed ... to let the water council have its day today to get its message out about its wetland policy that we support and want implemented.”


Picture Butte exploring future options for water
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Sunny South News - September 16
Picture Butte’s town council is preparing to put forward two options to the provincial government in hopes of securing funding to provide a reliable water source for the community. Mayor Terry Kerkhoff said the town has two big challenges with the current water plant. The first is the ability to produce enough potable water for the needs of the town and the second is the on going cost of producing that water. The town currently draws its raw water from the Picture Butte Lake Reservoir which is filled via irrigation water from the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District.


Wetlands policy dispute gets messy
Canadian Press - September 16
A dispute among groups developing a new Alberta wetlands policy has boiled over in public, with environmental groups accusing oilsands operators of foot-dragging and double-dealing. Operators claim the current plan could lead to budget-busting cost hikes, and may not even be environmentally workable.

Six groups plan to hold a news conference Tuesday to demand the province ignore the concerns of the oilpatch and implement a policy that makes environmental preservation the paramount issue in wetlands development. The groups are challenging the stance of CAPP and the Alberta Chamber of Resources, which - along with the Alberta Wilderness Association and Water Matters - are part of the 25-member Alberta Water Council. The six-member environmental group has asked the government to respond by Nov. 1, and enact the current plan even without the support of the petroleum association and the miners' group.


Alberta Water Supply Outlook (August)
Alberta Environment - September 12
The natural runoff volumes for August, 2008 rank between the 20th lowest year to 40th lowest year of 91 years of record for most locations.

However, total natural runoff volumes for the March-August period range from above to much above average in the North Saskatchewan and Red Deer River basins, and most of the Oldman River basin. Despite the wet May and June months, natural runoff volumes in the Milk River basin are below average to average for the year. In the Bow River basin, natural runoff volumes vary from below to much below average in the upper Bow River basin (Bow River at Banff and Spray River), average in Kananaskis and above to much above average in Bow River at Calgary, Elbow River at Bragg Creek and Highwood River at the Mouth.


Wet summer messing up farmers' fall
Edmonton Journal - September 12
Alberta farmers got past the late August frost window unscathed, but most crops are still 10 to 14 days behind because of the wet summer. According to Alberta Agriculture's latest crop report, the south is the most advanced, with about 20 per cent in the bin, while harvesting is just starting in the central area west of Highway 2.


Enmax to build to build Calgary's first district energy centre
CTV Calgary - September 11
The Enmax District Energy Project will be located in the heart of the city and the gas-fired centre will feed hot water into buildings. District energy makes hot water. It gets piped under the streets into buildings and is used to heat the building.


Devon launching $1B in oilsands work using saline water
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CFTKTV - September 9
Devon Energy said it will immediately begin building the $1-billion Phase 2 of its Jackfish in-situ oilsands project after receiving regulatory approval. Devon was the first SAGD producer to drill into saline aquifers deep underground and use that water in its operations. "Our use of saline water was an intentional decision we made to reduce our environmental impact," said Devon spokesman Chip Minty. "That's a decision that has presented some challenges that we've had to overcome because saline water is more corrosive than fresh water ... But we've overcome those issues and we're pleased with the success that we've seen."


Montana and Alberta meeting to discuss Milk River
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Great Falls Tribune - September 9
Meetings are under way between Montana and Alberta to discuss preserving the Milk River's international drainage. The St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group has been meeting to discuss how to go about finding $150 million needed to prevent the failure of the 102-year-old drainage system that delivers water from Lake Sherburne in Glacier National Park and travels through Hill, Blaine, Phillips and Valley County before dumping into the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam. But the rehabilitation group has also discussed what will be needed to maintain the delivery system that also feeds water into Alberta before it returns to Montana northwest of Havre.


Alberta to double number of farm water specialists
Government Alberta News Release- September 8
The provincial department of Agriculture and Rural Development has strategically restructured its program and service delivery to better focus on key priorities that serve Albertans and the agriculture industry. In this regard, the Irrigation and Farm Water Division will double the current number of farm water specialists.


Alberta Government Begins Consultation on Water Rights
Calgary Herald - September 4
The provincial government will begin public consultations to decide whether it needs to change the way Alberta's water rights are divvied up, the environment minister says. "The water allocation system that we have in place needs to be reviewed," said Rob Renner, who added that the public review will come within 18 months. "Should a market develop? To what degree should the government be involved in regulating that market? Or should the government be involved at all?

Renner added that in the decades ahead -- perhaps 50 years in the future -- the entire province will likely face water restrictions of the type now in place in southern Alberta.


CBC Examines Water in Alberta
CBC Radio - September 3
In this special 3 part edition of The Current, CBC Radio follows the Bow River because it's journey is emblematic of the water issues that are moving to centre stage in Canada and beyond. Hear streaming interviews with: Shawn Marshall, a glaciologist from the Unversity of Calgary; Bob Sandford, the Chair of the Canadian Partnership Initiative; Danielle Droitsch, the founder of Bow Riverkeeper; Paul Fesko, manager of strategic services for the city of Calgary Water Department; Michael O'Halloran the Current's producer in Calgary; Jim Webber, a water engineer and the general manager of the Western Irrigation District; Lorne Taylor, Alberta's Environment Minister from 2001 to 2004 and now the Chair of the Alberta Water Research Institute; and Meera Karunananthan, the National Water Campaigner for the Council of Canadians.


Residents of Mirror still boiling water
Lacombe Globe - September 2
Residents in the hamlet of Mirror are still boiling their water, after an advisory was issued Aug. 15. The hot summer temperatures sparked an algae bloom in the water reservoir, which raised the water's pH beyond a safe level for human consumption.


ESI to Monitor Alberta Oil Sands Air and Water Quality
MarketWire - August 27
ESI Environmental Sensors has been awarded an initial contract for procurement and installation of an air quality and soil moisture monitoring tower for deployment in the Fort McMurray, (Wood Buffalo) Alberta area. Upon successful completion of the initial system, potential exists for the installation of up to 12 additional towers. The air quality and soil moisture monitoring towers that will be located in various strategic locations around the oil sands to monitor their environmental impact. In addition to Gro·Point soil moisture and temperature sensors, a variety of atmospheric sensors have been selected for placement at four different levels on the tower.


Rocky View joins Western Irrigation District water project
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Rocky View Weekly - August 26
MD of Rocky View councillors have been appointed to the executive committee of a new partnership with an irrigation group to review water needs in the region. After a closed-door meeting on July 22, the MD council agreed to disburse $50,000 for engineering studies exploring a regional water supply in collaboration with the Western Irrigation District (WID) and other municipalities. Council appointed Reeve Lois Habberfield, Coun. Earl Solberg, who represents part of the east side of the MD, and Coun. Jim Rheubottom, representing the MD’s southeastern quadrant, to an executive committee of the new group, called WID Regional Partnership. Rocky View chief administrative officer Rob Coon said other municipalities are still considering joining the new group.


Drought hits Peace River farms
Calgary Herald - August 21
The National Farmers Union has appealed to the provincial and federal governments to help Peace River area farmers facing the worst drought on record. Grande Prairie and Birch Hills counties have also joined the fight for aid after declaring themselves disaster areas following a long, dry spell that left dugouts empty and grazing pasture virtually non-existent.


Mount Royal to monitor water quality near Langdon for 3 years
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Rocky View Weekly - August 12
Mount Royal College students will be conducting on-going water quality assessments on a somewhat controversial wetland restoration project in East Rocky View. Weed Lake, near the Hamlet of Langdon, is a licensed wetland and polishing facility for local storm water flows and treated wastewater discharges from Langdon and Balzac area developments.The MD of Rocky View and Ducks Unlimited Canada will share evenly the $75,685 cost of the three-year contract with Mount Royal College.


Creek diversion stopped
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Lacombe Globe - August 12
The periodic diversion of water from Whelp Creek into Lacombe Lake will be discontinued for at least three years, after an agreement was reached between Lacombe County and Alberta Environment.


Alberta has 'long way to go' for geothermal energy
Calgary Herald - July 31
A new study concludes geothermal energy has more potential than previously believed to provide a clean source of electricity and steam for Alberta residents and industries, including the oil sands. Rock formations have to be hotter than 150C to heat injected water to the point that it's useful for power generation. The study found that some regions of northwestern Alberta exceed that temperature at three to four kilometres -- but in southern Alberta, you have to drill down seven kilometres or more.


MD Rocky View council wants stronger water conservation policies
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Rocky View Weekly - July 29
The lack of a water conservation policy is preventing the MD of Rocky View from requesting developers implement stronger conservation measures such as stormwater recycling or treated water reuse. Some jurisdictions are addressing water scarcity by requiring the installation of purple pipes in institutional, industrial, and office buildings. Purple pipes allow treated water to be used outdoors for watering and indoors for flushing toilets. Using purple-coloured pipes only for reused water systems reduce the risk of cross-connection with potable water systems. A line specifying that conservation measures will have to be applied following MD policies as they are "amended from time-to-time" was included in the approval.


TransAlta warns of dyke breach at Keephills power plant west of Edmonton
Canadian Press - July 28
A dyke wall holding back a pond full of ash slurry from TransAlta Corp.'s coal-fired Keephills power plant is in danger of breaching, the Calgary-based company said Monday. TransAlta workers found a crack in the lagoon´s dyke wall during a routine check Saturday and contacted Alberta Environment and local authorities. "The company´s primary concern is to maintain safety and minimize environmental impact," TransAlta said in a statement. The lagoon contains between 1.5 million and two million cubic metres of water, TransAlta spokesman Michael Lawrence said.

Natural runoff above to much above average for most Alberta mountain and foothill areas
Alberta Environment - July 18
Natural runoff volumes recorded for March-June 2008 were among the twenty highest in up to 91 years of record for the Red Deer, Elbow, and Highwood Rivers, the North Saskatchewan River at Edmonton, and into the Cascade and Brazeau Reservoirs. In other mountain basins, volumes recorded so far have generally ranged from average to above average, except below average to average for the Belly River near Mountainview, below average for the Milk River at Milk River and at the Eastern Crossing, and below to much below average for the Bow River at Banff.

As of July 1, 2008, average natural runoff volumes are forecast for the remainder of the year (July - September 2008). However, above average volumes are expected for the Red Deer, Elbow, and Highwood Rivers and into the Brazeau and Cascade Reservoirs, and below average volumes are forecast for the Bow River at Banff and Calgary and the Milk River at Milk River and the Eastern Crossing. These forecasts assume that precipitation over the remaining summer period will be normal. Precipitation will have a major impact on the summer water supply forecast between now and the end of September.


Wetlands protection sought
Calgary Herald - July 14
A continent-wide decrease in duck populations has renewed a call for Alberta to move forward with its wetland protection policy, which is still in the draft stage. The new policy will include a no-net-loss provision requiring any developer who builds in a wetland area to restore another wetland area to make up for the loss. Click here, to review the June, 2005 Wetland Policy Project Team, Terms of Reference.


Alberta must prepare for warming, unreliable water, more fires expected
Edmonton Journal - July 11
More forest fires, unreliable water supplies, volatile farming conditions and the emergence of unfamiliar diseases are among the scourges Albertans can expect from a warming climate, a new report to the provincial government says. The three-year study, one of the first to assess the vulnerability of Alberta's communities and industries to climate change, suggests the province must act quickly with new infrastructure and planning if it hopes to adapt.


Water cops now patrolling Cochrane
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Cochrane Times - July 9
For the first time, the Town of Cochrane has hired three conservation officers with the power to enforce the Outdoor Water Conservation Bylaw. The first residential offence costs $100, the second is $200 and the third is $500, whereas commercial properties are hit with $500 for the first offence, $1,000 for the second and $1,500 for the third. So far no tickets have been issued.


Province orders Petenco Resources to clean up effects of pipeline break
Nation Talk - July 9
The Alberta government has issued an Environmental Protection Order to Petenco Resources, in response to a pipeline break that resulted in a release of salt water to a wetland adjacent to the company’s lease site.


Province orders land owner to cease unauthorized work on Jackfish Lake
Government of Alberta Information Bulletin - July 9
The Alberta government has issued a Water Act Enforcement Order to Dale Quinney, within the Municipal District of Parkland County. During a site inspection, Alberta Environment staff observed Quinney operating an excavator within Jackfish Lake and on the adjacent environmental reserve. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that a number of large cement blocks had been placed in the lake to act as a boat launch, and that vegetation from the bed and shore of the water body and environmental reserve had been removed to launch boats into the lake. Approval had not been obtained under Alberta’s Water Act.


Water plan in the works
Herald-Tribune - July 4
Twelve municipalities south of the Peace River, including the City and County of Grande Prairie, are proposing to develop a plan to service the region with potable water. The South Peace water supply region committee, formed in 2006, is made up of municipalities located within the area bounded by the B.C. border, the Peace River, the Smoky River and the Wapiti River. It identified the two most viable options to develop the regional water system at a recent meeting with Aquatera Utilities and Associated Engineering Ltd., the engineering consulting firm that authored the feasibility study.


New Alberta River Water Quality Index ratings
With one exception, all the monitored river water quality indexes showed improvement over previous years. Alberta Environment monitoring was done upstream and downstream of Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, and on the Smoky/Peace Rivers, and Athabasca River.


City of Calgary 2007 Water Quality Report Released
In 2007, the City of Calgary tested more than 109,000 water samples to ensure drinking water consistently met all federal health-related guidelines and Alberta Environment water quality standards. Throughout July, the City of Calgary’s 2007 Annual Water Quality Report will be delivered to more than 300,000 Calgary households as an insert with the Enmax bill, as well as to Airdrie and Chestermere.


CR Fuels secures water permit for Alberta biofuels project
Biodiesel Magazine - July 4
Calgary-based CR Fuels Inc. has announced it has obtained all of the key permits (including an Alberta Environment Water Division license) to proceed with the planned development of an integrated biofuels complex in Strathmore. Construction is scheduled to commence March 1, 2009 and be fully operational by October 1, 2010. The project will include a 30 MMgy biodiesel plant and a 25 MMgy ethanol plant.


Bow City Power to support local irrigation networks
Calgary Herald - July 3
Bow City Power is proposing to build a new 1,000-megawatt plant near Brooks, billed as running cleaner than Epcor's coal plants and cheaper than Enmax's proposed natural gas-fired generator. As an added bonus, Bow City Power will integrate the plant's mini-lake of a cooling pond into the local irrigation network, as an ideal source of warm water for spring crop planting.


No more traces found of Edmonton North Sask. River chemical spill
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Edmonton Sun - July 3
The chemical solvent that began spewing from a sewer pipe into the North Saskatchewan River near the Quesnell Bridge Wednesday afternoon has either been contained or has evaporated, according to Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. Testing revealed the material was Naphtha, a petroleum-based solvent that's used in kerosene lamps and paint thinner. According to Nikki Booth, spokesman for fire rescue, the solvent is biodegradable and has low to moderate soil absorption.


Pincher Creek and Cowley to study new regional water system
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Pincher Creek Echo - July 3
The Village of Cowley, the Town of Pincher Creek and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek are seeking funding for a feasibility study for a new regional potable water system.


Lethbridge tallies flood losses
Calgary Herald - July 3
City infrastructure was left relatively unscathed by a Canada Day flash flood in Lethbridge, according to Mayor Bob Tarleck. That's cold comfort to an estimated 60 landowners who are now tallying up the damage in their ruined basements. "We spent millions on upgrades to our wastewater treatment system five years ago and that seemed to work well," said Tarleck. "But anytime you've got 60 homes affected, you have to take a look at the whole system. A state of emergency for Lethbridge was lifted Wednesday morning. It had been enacted after as much as 45 millimetres of rain fell Tuesday afternoon, including 25 millimetres in a 30-minute downpour.


Cochrane offers look at water treatment plans
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Cochrane Times - July 2
In an effort to maintain an adequate supply of potable water to the residents of Cochrane, the town’s water treatment plant will undergo over $16 million in upgrades over the next few years. The upgrades will allow the plant to provide 30 million litres of water to the town per day, up from 8 million that they can currently provide by installing a new intake pump from the Bow River and install a new filtration system.

Water Conservation Measures In Black Diamond
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Discover Foothills - June 26
At Wednesday night's meeting, council passed a by-law to put flow restrictions on all taps and showers and ensures residences have a maximum, 6-litre flush toilet. Councillor, Michel Jackson says the by-law will only affect newly constructed buildings and homes with renovations that require a building permit. Jackson looked to the town of Okotoks and other municipalities for examples to find something that would work best for Black Diamond..


New ERCB Eco-Rules can shut oilsands
Edmonton Journal - June 26
Oilsands mega-mines can be shut down for dragging their heels on cleaning up toxic waste tailings ponds under a new policy released today by Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board. "We would view that as a last resort," ERCB Fort McMurray executive manager Stephen Smith said. "Even the potential (of shutdown) is more than enough incentive for these companies to deal with that issue." Penalties also include withholding approval of multibillion-dollar plant additions or permission to start up operations.

Since commercial oilsands production began in 1967, ERCB records show mega-mine ponds have accumulated 720 million cubic metres of tailings, or enough to fill 288,000 Olympic swimming pools. The colossal liquid waste storage sites sprawl across 130 square kilometres of Alberta's bitumen belt. Tailings ponds fill 28 per cent of 470 square kilometres of northern boreal forest that the oilsands industry has mined or cut down.


Snelgrove floats dam idea for Calgary
Edmonton Sun - June 26
Alberta Treasury Board president Lloyd Snelgrove says the province should build a large dam upstream of Calgary to ensure there's ample water supply for decades, but the city's mayor says such a mega-project is unnecessary. "We have to look at upstream storage of water," said Snelgrove. "And I believe from the heritage point of view, for a heritage fund, a dam that guarantees Calgary water for the next hundred years ... is a terrific heritage project." Talk of a new dam in southern Alberta was news to Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who said the city already has water permits that would enable it to draw enough for a population more than twice its current size of about one million people.


Gleniffer Lake re-opens for recreational use
Government of Alberta Information Bulletin - June 24
The Alberta government is re-opening Gleniffer Lake for recreational use on Thursday, June 26. Clean up efforts to remove oil deposited on the shoreline and surface of Gleniffer Lake from a recent pipeline spill are complete. Prior to the lake re-opening, the clean up crew will relocate the containment booms and collect additional water and sediment samples for ongoing water quality testing. The lake will be monitored for any remaining oil, and clean up will continue upstream of the lake in the Red Deer River.


New grant program encourages long-term on-farm water capacity
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development - June, 2008
The Alberta government has created a new Alberta Farm Water Source Program (AFWSP) to encourage and support the development of long-term water capacity on Alberta farms. The purpose of this program is to provide financial and technical assistance towards the cost of constructing long-term on-farm water source(s) completed during 2008. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.


Epcor water treatment upgrades will bring monthly hikes
Edmonton Journal - June 21
Edmonton homeowners may not notice a difference in their water, but they will in their monthly bills. Epcor opened its upgraded water treatment plant Friday after a $140-million reconstruction that will allow it to treat more of the city's water more efficiently. Consumers can expect to see signs of the plant's upgrade in their monthly water rates. A typical family of four that would have paid about $26 a month in 2006, would go up to around $34 a month by next year.


Okotoks boil-water warning lifted after three weeks
Calgary Herald - June 20
Okotoks residents can finally drink their water without boiling it, but health officials are still asking people in the community to take some precautions. On Thursday, the Calgary Health Region lifted a three-week-old boil-water advisory, instituted after heavy rains resulted in high turbidity levels in the town's water treatment plant. The CHR said water system operations have since returned to normal and two sets of water samples have confirmed the water in the plant and distribution lines is clear of bacteria.


Nanton transfer of water allocation still under review
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Nanton News - June 18
Alberta Environment (AE) is still reviewing the Town of Nanton’s application for a transfer of water allocation between the Town and the Springhill Water Users Group (SWUG). As part of the review, AE has requested a written confirmation of its agreement for transfer of the rate of diversion of the spring licence. Council agreed to the transfer of 27 per cent of the rate of diversion of the spring licence original allocation to the SWUG.


Province orders companies to restore natural flow of North Saskatchewan River tributary
Government of Alberta, Information Bulletin - June 18
The Alberta government has issued an Enforcement Order requiring JOVNIC Inc., Mac-Sie Equipment Rentals Inc. and its Director to stop excavation activities at its site in northeast Edmonton; prepare a remediation plan to restore the tributary bed, shoreline, ravine and wetlands; and restore the natural drainage pattern after a tributary of the North Saskatchewan River was altered. Bank erosion has caused sediment to enter the water which drains into the North Saskatchewan River, located one kilometre away.


Water Allocation Transfer System Project Team
Alberta Water Council - June 17
Portions of the South Saskatchewan River Basin are currently closed to new applications for water licences, except for First Nations, Water Conservation Objectives and storage projects. Other Alberta basins may face water allocation challenges in the future. The Alberta Water Council believes it is timely to undertake a comprehensive review of the water allocation transfer system within the existing legislative framework. The Project Team will operate within a 17 member multi-stakeholder, consensus-based process to make its decisions and recommendations. It will provide an interim report at the fall Council meeting, and a final report and recommendations to the Water Council at its spring 2009 meeting.


Oil spill closes Gleniffer Lake
Calgary Herald - June 17
It could take weeks to clean up as much as 20,000 litres of sweet crude oil, spilled over 33 kilometres, that shut down a popular central Alberta recreational lake Monday as well as cut the drinking water supply to its residents. Government officials are investigating the Pembina Pipeline Corp. breach that spilled between 75 and 125 barrels into the Red Deer River, which feeds Gleniffer Lake about five kilometres north of Sundre.


Okotoks boil water advisory could last six more weeks
Calgary Herald - June 12
Okotoks residents will have to continue boiling their tap water before using it for at least another week, until their overstressed water treatment system can be tested. But the town council was warned earlier this week it could take up to six weeks to address continuing turbidity.


Kearl Gets Cabinet Approval to Proceed
Calgary Herald - June 5
Imperial Oil Ltd.'s $8-billion Kearl oilsands mine has received Ottawa's blessing to proceed. Cabinet approval for the controversial oilsands project was granted May 15 -- just one day after a federal court upheld the removal of a key water licence for Kearl.


Environment Canada Begins Probe of Oilsands & Water Use
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Calgary Sun - June 5
An Environment Canada Committee announced that starting June 16, it would investigate the damage oilsands might be causing to water in the region. This comes as a new report co-authored by Environmental Defence says two-thirds of the proposed increase in U.S. refining capacity of 1.6 million barrels per day is being geared towards refining oil sands crude from Canada.


Western Premiers Announce New Water Council
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Edmonton Sun - May 30
The four western provinces and three territories have agreed to work together to ensure water quality, supply and conservation. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says the Western Water Stewardship Council is in everybody’s interest because the West and North share watersheds. The council will explore the potential for developing a western drought preparedness plan. The province of British Columbia is to head the council.


Brooks and County of Newell sign regional water agreement
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Brooks Bulletin - May 28
The City of Brooks and County of Newell have ratified their portions of a shareholders agreement and bylaws as a part of their commitment to the Newell Regional Services Corporation. They join the communities of Tilley and Rosemary who have already ratified their agreements. The municipalities of Bassano and Duchess are expected to do the same this week.


Alberta Environment to piece together a scientific picture of environmental contamination in the oilsands region
Canwest News Service - May 27
The study, which will be overseen by Alberta Environment, will capture the current level of toxins in water and soil. Several other oilsands probes are underway, including a joint provincial-federal examination of claims of unusually high cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan region.


New Alberta land use policy based on watershed regions
Government of Alberta: News Release - May 21
The government identified four immediate planning priorities: the completion and implementation of metropolitan plans for the Capital and Calgary regions; and the completion of the Southern Alberta Regional Plan and the Northeast Alberta Regional Plan. Under the draft policy released by Sustainable Resource Minister Ted Morton, Alberta will be divided into six land use regions and each will have its own land use priorities. The new framework will balance several issues, including treating landowners fairly and respecting the rights of recreational land users.


Ottawa fast tracks Kearl mine permit
Globe & Mail - May 19
The Kearl court case is widely seen as a sign that oil sands development will be increasingly tough, with longer and more detailed regulatory processes, a greater likelihood of legal challenges and ever-higher costs. Now, however, Kearl could be back in business as early as June 5, with Ottawa poised to allow Imperial to proceed on site-preparation work blocked by the court.


Imperial Oil Loses Battle for Oil-Sands Water Permit
Bloomberg.com - May 14
The government acted properly to cancel a water permit because another court found flaws in an environmental report on the Kearl tar-sands project, Federal Court Justice Douglas Campbell said today. Since the report is incomplete it must be completed, and once completed it must be, yet again, placed before'' the federal government for approval before a new water permit is issue by the fisheries department. A company decision on proceeding with Kearl, which could start production in 2011, may be made in the third quarter, incoming CEO Bruce March told reporters on March 26.


Water permit loss could delay Kearl
Calgary Herald - May 9
Lawyers for Imperial Oil said the loss of the company's key water permit this late in the game could delay the start of the company's $8-billion Kearl oilsands project by a year or more. The timing of the ambitious northeastern Alberta mining venture, in which Imperial is partnered with ExxonMobil Corp., rose to the fore in the second day of a federal court hearing pitting Canada's oldest oil company against a handful of green groups and Ottawa's Justice Department.


Water control devices bring flood of savings
Calgary Herald - May 9
Tonko Realty Advisors is taking a significant step in cutting down its consumption by contracting Calgary-based ExactET to manage its water needs.


Environmentally Friendly Water Vending Machine
Water Vend - May 8
Alberta-based Water Vend, claims to be the first and only company in North America that has created an eco-friendly water vending machine. Known as the Azure, this vending machine does not store water in bottles or cans. Rather, the machine pours cold water into a sports bottle supplied by the customer.


ERCB clears up abandoned vs. orphaned well issue
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Pincher Creek Echo - May 2
An abandoned well is when you put cement in-between producing zones and in place to prevent potential contamination to groundwater, and the wellhead must be taken off. The abandoned well’s licence permit is not lifted, but is always tied to the licensee unless the licensee no longer exists. In that case, the ERCB has an orphan fund set up that takes care of anything on the surface. To be in compliance with the ERCB regulations, the company has to clean up what’s on the surface. Anything below the surface is the responsibility of Alberta Environment, but if the company dug up the soil and put it on the surface, then it’s ERCB responsibility again.


Province launches immediate investigation after waterfowl land on Syncrude tailings pond
Government of Alberta: Information Bulletin - April 29
The Alberta government is investigating why deterrents were unable to prevent 500 migratory waterfowl from landing on a tailings pond north of Fort McMurray. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development are on-site at the Aurora North Site mine facility ensuring deterrents are in place to prevent further birds from landing on the tailings pond. Environment Canada will also be investigating. The status of all the birds is unknown, but some are clearly heavily oiled. Recovery and salvage operations are underway.


Vauxhall and M.D. form water partnership
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Vauxhall Advance - April 24
A partnership formed between the Town of Vauxhall and M.D. of Taber is in its beginning stages in order to supply treated water through a regional system in the area.


New Regional Water and Wastewater Commissions
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The Energy News - April 24
New Municipal Government Acts have now created the South Red Deer Regional Wastewater Commission consisting of the Town of Bowden, Town of Innisfail, Town of Olds, Town of Penhold, Mountain View County and Red Deer County to provide and operate a wastewater supply system. In addition, both the Sylvan Lake Regional Water and Wastewater Commissions have been established, consisting of the Summer Village of Birchcliff, Summer Village of Half Moon Bay, Summer Village of Norglenwold, Summer Villager of Sunbreaker Cove, The Summer Village of Jarvis Bay, Town of Sylvan Lake, Lacombe County and Red Deer County.


Water rights battle hits court
Calgary Herald - April 22
Two aboriginal communities, the Tsuu T'ina Nation and the Samson Cree Nation, are asking the Court of Queen's Bench to overturn the Alberta government's August 2006 decision to close nearly every river, lake and stream in southern Alberta.


Glacial Melting In Alberta
Statistics Canada - April 23
The total glacial area in the North Saskatchewan River Basin decreased 22% from 1975 to 1998, while glacial cover decreased 36% in the South Saskatchewan River Basin. Of the 853 glaciers documented in these basins in 1975, 328 have disappeared completely...
Click here...for details


Alberta Government spending more on environment and water management
Alberta Government News Release - April 22
Excluding a one-time payment made in 2007-08, Alberta Environment’s 2008-09 total program expense will more than double this year, from $183M in 2007-08 to $403M in 2008-09 (120% increase). Over the next three years, program spending for the Ministry of Environment will exceed $1 billion.

An investment of $721 million has been made towards water infrastructure to ensure constant access to safe and secure water. This includes $300 million in capital and $63 million in operating funding for the Water for Life strategy through development of regional water and wastewater treatment projects, grants to municipalities under the Alberta Municipal Water/ Wastewater Program, irrigation rehabilitation grants to sustain the agriculture industry and investments in government dams, canals and erosion-control infrastructure.


Federal Funding Supports Lethbridge Centre for Water Research and Innovation
Government of Canada: News Releases - April 21
The Government of Canada is supporting the University of Lethbridge's water research program through a $3M investment that will facilitate the purchase of leading-edge equipment for the Alberta Water and Environmental Sciences Building.


Enmax looking at using Calgary treatment plant water for new power plant
Calgary Herald - April 17
The proposed water source for a $1 billion, 1,000-megawatt natural-gas-fired electricity generating facility to be built in the Shepard Industrial park, might be water discharged from City of Calgary treatment plants, rather than fresh water.


Vauxhall amends restrictions on the water-fill station
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Vauxhall Advance - April 16
Vauxhall town council, with its decision to amend earlier restrictions on the water-fill station, will now allow outside users to fill up for non-domestic purposes. Reasoning for the ruling came after requests from Vauxhall Co-op Petroleum and M.D. of Taber users, looking for a water solution during spray season, just before irrigation water begins to flow. With the taxing situation facing the town with its water treatment plant, as well as an overall shortage of water in southern Alberta in general, the decision may serve to perplex some.


Alberta's New Land Use Framework Tied to Water
Calgary Herald - April 15
In a draft copy of the province's sweeping land-use framework obtained by the Herald, Alberta's new Land Use blueprint calls for dividing Alberta into six regions according to major watersheds. The regions would be expected to create individual land plans tied to their water limits.


Small communities assured safe drinking water with new pilot
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Government of Alberta, News Release - April 3
Emergency cover-off and technical assistance for smaller utility providers will help assure safe and secure drinking water for Alberta's smaller communities. Effective March 1, 2008 through February 28, 2009, the Operational Assistance Pilot Program will track the type, extent, frequency and triggers of requested assistance. The information will help the Alberta government develop broad, long-term solutions to the challenges smaller utility providers face.


Calgary Water plant upgrade gets OK
Calgary Herald - April 3
Work on the Glenmore water treatment plant will start in the next couple of months after it received all of the necessary city approvals. The $140-million expansion plan went before the city’s planning commission on Wednesday.


New Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) in south east Alberta
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Government of Alberta, Information Bulletin - April 2
A new Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) in south east Alberta will help protect the area’s water resources for thousands of Albertans. WPACs lead watershed planning, develop best management practices, foster stewardship activities, report on the state of the watershed and educate users of the water resource. The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance will bring the community together in a multi-stakeholder partnership that will encourage the sustainable management of South Saskatchewan River watershed’s main stem.

If you would like to learn more about how you or your organization can support the ongoing work of the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance, please visit www.seawa.ca


Water ruling a jolt for oilpatch
Calgary Herald - April 2
Imperial Oil losing the water licence associated with its heavy oilsands expansion at Kearl Lake has to be a wake-up call for the entire energy sector. Before getting to what this means for the industry, it has to be said the oilsands players have been working hard at minimizing their water use, with many moving toward closed-loop processes that don't require fresh water. The question now is what is the potential impact on other oilsands projects.For those with permits and approvals, nothing changes unless they change the scope of their projects or announce expansions. But for others still waiting to play on the oilsands stage, the stakes of making one small mistake on the issue of environmental impact are higher today than they were last month.


Black Diamond Water Not Up To Snuff
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DiscoverFoothills.com - April 2
A waterworks system in the town of Black Diamond is said to be unfit. An inspection by Alberta Environment on the Black Diamond Water Treatment Plant says it's not meeting their 2006 standards.


Imperial oilsands plans dealt blow: voided water permit
Globe and Mail - March 31
The federal government has revoked a key water permit for Imperial Oil's proposed $8-billion Kearl oil sands mine, delaying work on a major new oil sands development as environmental scrutiny of the massive projects around Fort McMurray intensifies.


Diffused ozone shown to be effective in treating oil sands process water
CNW - March 31
Results from an independent study confirm ozone diffused into oil sand process water eliminated more than 95% of the naphthenic acid present in the water samples. The study, done by researchers at Syncrude Canada Ltd. and the University of Alberta, is believed to be the first experimental evidence that ozone can react with naphthenic acids.


Some Edmonton tap water at risk from lead pipes
Edmonton Journal - March 26
Epcor will send letters to as many as 5,000 Edmonton homeowners advising them they should take precautions with their tap water because it comes into their homes through lead pipes that could leach small amounts of the toxic metal.


Another Horse Track Needs Water
Lacombe Globe - March 26
There will be a horse-racing facility just west of Lacombe, one way or another. But, resident Betty MacKenzie questioned the impact the track would have on local water supplies. During the summer the town is already on water restrictions, so how can we justify offering water to a development like this that will only draw on the supply further.” Mayor Gordon’s letter stated that council was prepared to allow the extension of the town’s water and wastewater services outside the town’s corporate boundaries to service the site.


If cutting CO2 is key, there's much to be said for hydro
Calgary Herald - March 25
A partnership of Trans-Canada and Atco Power has proposed building a $5 billion, 1,300 Mw hydroelectric plant on the Slave River.


$8.8 Million for Alberta Water Projects
Marketwire - March 19
The Governments of Canada and Alberta today announced an investment of over $8.8 million for 63 agricultural water supply projects and studies across Alberta, which will help to ensure that the province's agricultural industry maintains a sustainable and strong water supply for years to come.


Town of Spirit River: Water issue not resolved yet
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Central Peace Signal - March 18
A ton of snow last year and some pretty good levels of snow this year has eased the water situation for the Town of Spirit River. However, the overall problem of water storage combined with the increased usage means the problem isn’t fully resolved yet.


Fairview Chamber updated on Dunvegan weir project
Fairview Post- March 18
Ross Keating, president of operations for Glacier Power, spoke to Fairview and District Chamber of Commerce, and responded to questions from the audience, from whether it will affect to quality of Fairview drinking water (probably not) to the dam’s expected life-span (about 100-150 years).


Cochrane & World Water Day March 22
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Cochrane Times- March 12
March 22 is World Water Day and the Town of Cochrane is encouraging residents to do their part to conserve one of the world’s most essential resources. The Town of Cochrane is taking part in numerous projects in an attempt to reduce the communities use of water.


Fund to settle water rift
Calgary Herald - March 17
The province has set aside $85 million to settle a lawsuit with hundreds of farmers who claim the government stripped a large share of their water rights several decades ago.


Reassuring facts about the oilsands?
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Edmonton Sun- March 11
Some reassuring facts emerged out of a session at The World Heavy Oil Congress on oilsands "sustainability". Alberta Environment has a weekly "cap" on the amount of water oilsands operators can withdraw from the Athabasca River, equivalent to a year-round average of 3% of the river's flow. With lower flows during winter, the oilsands industry is allowed to withdraw up to 5%, within that year-round 3% average. No effluent from any oilsands plant (the tailings) drains back into the Athabasca. Will these tailings ponds just grow forever and ever? The government is banking on emerging technology to clean up the tailings for re-cycling or discharge.


Bearspaw: Water required as condition for development
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Rocky View Weekly- March 11
The MD of Rocky View council ordered a developer who is planning a large subdivision in Bearspaw, to prove water will be available prior to proceeding with plans for his proposal. If water is not available, the developer will be told not to proceed with the concept plan.


Lack of water threatens Langdon expansion
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Rocky View Weekly- March 4
Lack of water could put a stop to numerous development proposals in the Hamlet of Langdon. In order to solve the impasse, Langdon Waterworks has applied to Alberta Environment for an additional water licence. However, according to the report, even if approvals were issued for the amount applied for, it would still not be enough water to supply all the proposed development projects.


Lake Chestermere controversy with landowners
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Rocky View Weekly- March 11
The Town of Chestermere and the Western Irrigation District (WID) are awaiting a court judgment to end an on-going dispute over who has subdivision authority. Lake Chestermere is at the centre of the controversy as the WID owns the reservoir and has claimed subdivision rights around Lake Chestermere under the Municipal Government Act.


Alberta could face drier, hotter future
Calgary Herald - March 11
A report suggests the Prairie provinces will continue to struggle with drought. It states water scarcity in some years will be a constraint for all sectors and communities, and "could ultimately limit the current rapid economic growth," including oilsands development. The 500-page report, prepared for the federal government and released last Friday, is the work of 145 leading Canadian scientists. The most serious impacts of climate change will be on the distribution of water in ecosystems. This is particularly relevant in Alberta because we are the source of most of the water on the Prairies.


Drought brings tax deferral to farmers in southern Alberta
Market Wire - March 7
Owners of breeding livestock in certain areas of southern Alberta who were forced to sell all or part of their herd in 2007 due to drought conditions will be eligible for a one-year tax deferral on 2007 income from these sales. The tax deferral was made after reviewing forage yield, precipitation, soil moisture and water supply data for the 2007 growing season. In the case of consecutive years of drought designation, producers may defer sales income to the first year in which the area is no longer designated.


Water is a major issue for new development slated for Lake Newell
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Brooks Bulletin - March 4
A Calgary based developer is looking to build 220 homes on Lake Newell’s Bantry Bay. The developers have recognized the fact water is a major issue in the area and is wanting to move the project along before pipeline sizes are set for the planned regional water project. The development would include its own sewage treatment plant, and is currently in discussions to obtain land from the Eastern Irrigation District. A tree farm irrigated by recycled water and used to foliate the area is also a feature of the development proposal.


Banff water quality has improved
Banff Crag and Canyon - March 4
Upgrades to the Town of Banff’s Wastewater Treatment Plant are helping improve the quality of water for millions of people. Recent monitoring results by Environment Canada have shown that water quality, in regards to what the plant treats for, is the best that has been measured in the last 50 years.


ADB refuses Chateau Lake Louise water application
Banff Crag and Canyon - March 4
The Advisory Development Board for Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks has refused an application by Chateau Lake Louise to construct a water treatment plant and treated water reservoir.


Alternate Land Use Services gaining momentum
Tillsonburg News - March 3
Alternate Land Use Services (ALUS), a program that pays farmers for providing environment services has been expanding across the country. ALUS is waiting to announce a pilot project proposal in Vermillion River, Alberta. It would involve water control structures and wetland restoration. Over $1 million has already been secured from private sources and it is waiting for confirmation of provincial government funding.


Development approval, but no water license, yet
Vulcan Advocate - Feb.27
A confined feeding operation east of Vulcan has been given a licence to operate, despite Vulcan County’s concerns about the operation having no water license. An Alberta Environment spokeswoman has confirmed that the water licence application is still under consideration, pending some additional information from the applicant. By not including the water application with the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) application process, a “bad situation” has been created said Doug McIntyre, Vulcan County councillor.


Provincial land use to supercede municipalities: minister
Rocky View Weekly- February 26
A provincial framework will incorporate innovative land use instruments that will help protect undeveloped land. Speaking at a forum last week, Ted Morton, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, advanced some information on the proposed land use framework. "We want to protect watersheds, habitats, wildlife and (promote) good practices versus bad practices."


Average water use in Calgary dips
Calgary Herald - Feb. 25
The average amount of water used per person dropped for the third year in a row in 2007. Last year, average daily water usage (including residential, commercial and municipal) was 437 litres per person, down from 451 litres.


Water for Two New Calgary Region Developments
Rocky View Weekly and Calgary Herald - Feb. 20
A 290-acre residential subdivision in Bearspaw will include large green spaces, protect existing wetlands, and will have a system of recreational ponds that will treat collected storm water. Macdonald Development has a licence to withdraw 350 acre feet of water per year from the Bow River (over a million litres per day) to provide water to be treated at the subdivision. (This article has expired. We apologize for the inconvenience)

In addition, the Lakes of Muirfield, a gated community scheduled to be built some 20 minutes east of Calgary, has been designed for 700 single-family homes and could accommodate a seniors complex. The development will incorporate a 284-million-litre water storage tank and its own water treatment plant.
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Water for North West upgrading project approved
CNW - Feb. 20
North West Upgrading Inc., a Calgary-based, privately-owned company building an independent, heavy oil Upgrader in Alberta's Industrial Heartland, announced it had received final regulatory approvals from Alberta Environment for the construction, operation and reclamation of the three phases of the North West Upgrader project.

North West also received its license under the Water Act of Alberta to divert water for process uses. These approvals, together with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board Approval No. 10994 granted in September 2007, and municipal approvals granted by Sturgeon County, largely complete the regulatory requirements enabling the project to proceed to full implementation. The Upgrader will have a total processing capacity of 231,000 barrels per day of blended feedstock over three phases. Site preparation has started and all three phases are expected to be operating by 2016.


Calgary mayor says MD Rocky View resisted water and sewer servicing offer
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Rocky View Weekly - Feb. 19
Four years later, the mayor of Calgary is still puzzled by the reluctance of the Municipal District of Rocky View to discuss an offer for city servicing for its main industrial and commercial hub in Balzac east. In an exclusive interview, Mayor Dave Bronconnier told the Rocky View Weekly that after starting annexation negotiations in October 2002, the city, early in 2004, offered Rocky View water and sewer servicing in exchange for a quick, uncontested annexation of a larger portion of land.


Mountain snowpack below average to average in most areas of Alberta
Alberta Environment - Feb. 15
As of February 1, 2008, snow accumulations in the mountains generally range from below average to average for this time of year, except above average in the Waterton, Belly, and Athabasca River basins.

As of February 1, preliminary forecasts for the March to September 2008 period for basins in the mountains indicate natural runoff volumes will likely be below average for the Milk River basin, below average to average in the Oldman and Highwood River basins, near average in the Elbow, Kananaskis, Spray and Cascade River basins, below average for the Bow River at Banff and Calgary and the North Saskatchewan River basin, and below average to average in the Red Deer River basin. As it is still early in the year, precipitation over the next several months could affect these forecasts significantly.

Water storage in the major irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs of southern and central Alberta is generally below normal, except normal in the Oldman, Ghost, and Dickson Reservoirs.


Bassano mayor quits over regional water
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The Brooks Bulletin - Feb. 12
After only four months on the job, Bassano Mayor John Kuhn has resigned. Kuhn said Tuesday morning... that the main reason was due to council’s position on joining the regional water system.


Large water haul on its way
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Wausau Daily Herald - Feb. 4
Using one of the longest tractor-trailers in North America (230 feet long with 19 axles and 90 wheels, weighing 200,000 pounds) a truck has begun a 3,200-mile journey from Wisconsin to Fort McMurray hauling a 190,000-pound piece of equipment built by Siemens Water Technologies in Rothschild as part of a $70 million project for OPTI Canada, who will use the technology to remove hazardous waste from water used to pull crude oil from the oil sands.


EPCOR to finance MD Rocky View infrastructure under 3P formula
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Rocky View Weekly - Jan. 22
After months of negotiations, the Municipal District of Rocky View council has chosen a company to build infrastructure to treat water and deliver treated water to large commercial development in east Balzac.


EPCOR finalizes contract to upgrade and operate Taber water systems
EPCOR press release - Jan. 23
EPCOR will design and build an $18.5M upgraded wastewater treatment plant and stormwater system, while operating and maintaining the Town's water systems.


Alberta Water Council: Release of Recommendations on Renewal of Water for Life
Canada News Wire - Jan. 29
Alberta Environment Minister, the Honourable Rob Renner, will join members of the Alberta Water Council at a news conference to release the Council's Water for Life: Recommendations for Renewal, in Edmonton on Wednesday, January 30. The report is a result of a review and consultation process lead by the Council at the request of Minister Renner to assist in fulfilling Premier Ed Stelmach's mandate to renew and resource the Water for Life strategy.


Alberta lays out 20-year strategic plan for infrastructure
Government of Alberta: News Release - Jan. 29
The Government of Alberta's 20-Year Strategic Capital Plan is committing $240M annually (4% of the total $6 billion annual program) over the short and medium term to deliver new water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the province.


Calgary council asked to kick in $30M to move quicker on Pine Creek facility
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Calgary Sun - Jan. 29
Wolf Keller, director of water resources, said plans to add a facility to break down solid waste had been delayed until 2012. But he's now planning to ask council for an additional $30 million to fast-track the plan.


Rocky View seeks water for Kathyrn Development
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Rocky View Weekly - Jan. 29
After its request to treat water for a large commercial development in Balzac east was turned down by the Town of Drumheller, the MD of Rocky View is requesting water from the Kneehill Regional Waterline to supply a large development project in Kathyrn.


Rocky View endorses trout farm water transfer
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Rocky View Weekly - Jan. 29
The council of the Municipal District of Rocky View has endorsed a water licence transfer between the owner of a trout farming facility and a company with plans to provide water for development in the west side of the municipality.


Gwynne water plans moving forward
Wetaskiwin Times - Jan. 28
Provincial commitment for a water line from the City of Wetaskiwin’s water treatment plant at Coal Lake to the Hamlet of Gwynne and ultimately to the residents of the community has been reinforced.


Waterline project from Bashaw to Ferintosh
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Camrose Canadian - Jan. 27
The Hwy 12/21 Regional Water Services Commission has applied to Alberta Environment to start construction on a waterline project from Bashaw to Ferintosh. The line will cross Hwy 21 north of Bashaw and head towards Meeting Creek and continue along the CPR rail line to the Ferintosh water pump station.


Ranchers, farmers brace for change: Southern Foothills Study maps out best practices
High River Times - Jan. 25
At a meeting last Friday, forest ecologist Brad Stelfox outlined a best-practices approach, which though preliminary, showed how to save 12,000 hectares of native grasslands. The Southern Foothills Study, a comprehensive look at more than three million acres of the southern Eastern Slopes, is projecting land-use changes 50 years into the future.


Demo to showcase biodiesel
Sherwood Park News Centre - Jan. 25
Grants, investments and development incentives for biofuels are being handed out in dizzying fashion. A recent $2.6 million federal government investment added to the mix. Sherwood Park MP Ken Epp announced his government’s financial infusion to a biodiesel demonstration being put together in the form of a partnership between Shell Canada, Climate Change Central, the provincial and federal governments, and a host of others. The federal government plans to create mandatory legislation that will force fuel companies to mix five per cent bioethanol and two per cent biodiesel into their product by 2010 and 2012 respectively.


Little Paddle River gets upgrade
Mayerthorpe Freelancer - Jan. 23
The Little Paddle River now has a plan and a price tag. The river was thrown into the spotlight last summer when it was discovered that high water flows in 2007 resulted in the south bank of the Little Paddle River giving way, exposing an old garbage dump, which deposited garbage into the water.


Municipalities in the Crowfoot region to benefit from infrastructure investments
Western Economic Diversification Canada - Jan. 23
The federal and provincial governments will invest more than $6 million in infrastructure projects in the towns of Drumheller and Chestermere and the villages of Rockyford and Veteran, Alberta. To meet the rapid growth of the Town of Drumheller, an infrastructure investment has been made towards upgrading the local wastewater treatment plant. This project will increase the capacity of the plant, which will ensure the health, safety and protection of the environment for the town and surrounding areas. When complete, 2,700 existing households and 1,700 new households will have access to a higher quality wastewater system.

County of Grande Prairie gets new $5.3M water distribution system
Government of Alberta: News Release - Jan. 17
The federal and provincial governments will invest $5.3 million to build a new distribution system to deliver water from the City of Grande Prairie’s water supply to residents in the County of Grande Prairie. This low-pressure water main system will deliver water from the City system to 290 local households. Residents who currently rely on private wells for their water needs will no longer be required to rely on secondary treatment or delivery of water to their homes.


Study shows water well quality not related to coalbed methane
Government of Alberta: News Release - Jan. 17
A thorough assessment of four water well quality concerns from private landowners shows no relation between coalbed methane development and well-water quality.

The Alberta Research Council has conducted an independent review of four water well complaints allegedly linked to coalbed methane activity. The results show the wells were not affected by coalbed methane development, but rather, the quality issues are predominantly due to naturally occurring methane. Other quality issues are associated with poor well construction and maintenance. A fifth water well that was also assessed may be affected by conventional oil and gas development or a natural geological feature, such as a fault. Work will continue to determine the specific source.

The Alberta government is working with partners to develop an extensive water well education program for private well owners, which is expected to launch this spring. If landowners have water well problems or concerns, they should call Alberta Environment’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-222-6514.


High-tech dowsers mapping out Alberta's reservoirs of fresh water hidden underground
Edmonton Journal - Jan. 11
Only two months after taking off, an airborne search for water counterparts to Alberta's subterranean oil reservoirs is on the trail of gushers. Not just any deposits are sought. The target is nature's best reservoirs where the water is 99.6-per-cent pure, containing no more than 4,000 parts per million of dissolved minerals such as salt.


MD Willow Creek hears about water system options
Nanton News - Jan. 9
There is capacity for domestic water users to tap into a regional pipeline from Claresholm to Granum, and there is always the possibility of an even more regional water system in the future. Those were two of the messages brought to the Municipal District of Willow Creek council at its meeting by representatives of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation and MPE Engineering. This project runs a raw water pipeline from the Pine Coulee reservoir west of Stavely to Claresholm. The water treatment plant in Claresholm will be upgraded and its capacity increased. Treated water will then be piped to Granum. The project is 90% funded by the province as well, with the remaining 10% coming from the municipalities.


MD Bighorn approves secondary suites, subject to water upgrades
Canmore Leader - Jan. 9
MD of Bighorn council voted unanimously to adopt a revised bylaw that will allow secondary and studio suites for hamlet residential districts in Dead Man’s Flats and Exshaw. But, until there is a full municipal water supply and a full municipal sewer supply (likely three or more years away) secondary suites are not allowed.


New Water licence granted to condominium project using geothermal heat
Calgary Herald - Jan. 8
An application for a water licence needed for a Canmore condominium development's geothermal heating system has been allowed, despite Alberta's moratorium on new applications in the area. Since the situation involves the environmentally sustainable technology, Alberta Environment created a brand new policy dealing only with geothermal heating. Under the new policy, Kernick made an application for approval under the Water Act.

Geothermal heating essentially extracts heat out of the ground, which is at a constant temperature, by drawing water from wells. It is then run through heat exchangers either heating the building in the winter or cooling it in the summer. All water taken out of the basin is put back into the ground. The most important factor in the exemption is that there is no water loss or impact on the aquifer or other users with geothermal heating. The technology, more popular in Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba than Alberta, adds an extra $20,000 to the price of each unit.


Province considers additional hydro power options
Mayerthorpe Freelancer - Jan. 7
Energy Minister Mel Knight told the Freelancer that the province is examining ‘earth friendly’ energy practices, including wind and water. Knight said that the province is also looking to its water. “Alberta has the capacity of about 4,000 megawatts of hydro”. “It is uncapped and would not require building large dams. We have some fairly robust rivers in northern Alberta and there are some really good opportunities with weirs and some of the new generating technology so we are really keen on that”.


Edmonton now requires water-efficient toilets
Edmonton Journal - Jan. 2
The city's water efficient fixtures bylaw came into effect Jan. 1, mandating that new buildings have toilets that use no more than six litres of water per flush. The bylaw also applies to major renovations that require plumbing permits. Calgary brought in a similar bylaw in August 2005. Strathcona County has been offering $50 rebates to citizens who replaced their old toilets with six-litre ones.


Water diverts lawyer's attention
Calgary Herald - Jan. 1
Maureen Bell is a lawyer and a principal of Water Rights Inc., which is focused on finding pioneering solutions to issues that arise from or are related to water and water rights in Alberta. The hope is that these efforts will lead to the reconsideration of Alberta's water strategy to overuse the rivers. Bell has lobbied to create a water trust that sets aside licences to keep a healthy supply in the rivers; in other words, keeping water in trust for recreation, water management and fish habitat.


Land uses along Elbow River should be restricted says expert
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Rocky View Weekly - Jan. 15
Cathy Ryan, an associate professor with the University of Calgary's Environmental Sciences program, explained to the MD of Rocky View council why land uses on the Elbow River's watershed and alluvial aquifer should be restricted. The most significant water quality degradation observed in the past 30 years has been in developed areas closest to Calgary, Ryan said.

And click here to also check out all of our archived 2007 Alberta Water News items.

Disclaimer of Accuracy of Data - Although the news and information found on the WaterPortal has been produced and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty, expressed or implied, can be made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information.