Towns could be left waterless while industry keeps tapping in: report
Alberta towns could become waterless while industry continues to tap into the resource warns a new environmental report by Ecojustice and Water Matters.
The report warns of future water shortages and calls for a drastic overhaul of the province’s water licensing system to ensure people get water priority. Alberta’s current water system gives dibs on water to whoever got their licences first and under that system junior licensees — including towns — are the first to be cut off when water supplies are tight. “We just don’t think that’s equitable and always in the best interests of Albertans” says Ecojustice lawyer Barry Robinson.
Water Matters and Ecojustice want the province to create a “share system” whereby water is allocated based on seasonal availability instead of fixed amounts.
