Alberta faces criticism about water access

According to CTV Calgary,"A new report says access to Alberta's water should not be based on seniority. Water Matters and Ecojustice wants the province to change its policy about water licences. "We are proposing that some of that water be redistributed to people who need that water," says Danielle Droitsch from Water Matters.

The two environmental organizations are particularly concerned about drought years when the amount of water drawn from rivers is cut back. Under the current system, users with the newest water licences could have their allocation taken away while users with the oldest licences still get their full amount.

"If we go with the seniority system some small municipalities are totally cut off from their water supply," says Barry Robinson from Ecojustice.

Calgary has one of the oldest licences so it would be fine with the current system; but Okotoks, High River and Strathmore have newer licences and could face being cut off from the water they need. Water Matters and Ecojustice would also like to see users, who draw from Alberta's rivers, to pay for the water they take.

"We are not talking a large amount but that they would pay something so there is a financial incentive for the city to put in place conservation systems," says Robinson.

The Alberta government says it is looking at the report, along with many others, as part of its wider review of water management. In the coming months, the province intends to get input from Albertans about what they want to see to help protect the future of our rivers.

Article Source: CTV Calgary

For moreinformation, check out Water Matters: http://www.water-matters.org/