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By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Alberta’s auditor finds province’s surface water management ineffective

Jul 11, 2024 | 9:58 AM

Alberta’s auditor general says the province’s system for managing surface water is ineffective and not set up to deal with changing conditions.

Doug Wylie says in a report that Alberta Environment and Protected Areas has no water conservation objectives in most of its basins.

The report says the government doesn’t know if existing water conservation objectives are working.

It says processes to monitor water use, assess risks and decide when conservation is needed aren’t very strong.

It concludes the province isn’t doing a good job making sure that water users are being efficient or staying within the requirements of their licences.

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The report comes as much of the province remains under drought conditions.

Dr. Sarah Elmeligi, Alberta NDP Critic for Environment and Tourism, issued the following statement on the Auditor General’s Surface Water Management Performance Audit:

“I am deeply concerned by what the Auditor General has revealed about the UCP’s mismanagement of Alberta’s vital water resources. This government’s neglect of this critical issue has put the province at risk of water shortages and environmental damage.

“We are experiencing a multi-year drought that spans all corners of the province, so it’s shocking to learn that most major river basins don’t even have water conservation objectives. Engaging stakeholders, licence holders, and the public in defining water conservation objectives is essential.

“This government has repeatedly shown disregard for long-term water sustainability and a systemic inability to act on existing regulations and monitoring data. This report shows that failure extends to surface water management as well, citing insufficient monitoring of compliance to regulations and usage data.

“All Albertans should be concerned by this government’s lack of transparency in revealing

the true extent of Alberta’s water crisis by not providing up-to-date information on water allocation and usage.

“Addressing drought is up to all Albertans working together. Climate models show that Alberta is likely to become hotter and drier, especially in the late summer. Establishing water conservation strategies and actions now is essential to creating prosperity today and for future generations of Albertans.”

rdnewsNOW reached out to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for comment, but have not heard back as of yet.

(The Canadian Press)

(With files from rdnewsNOW)

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