EDMONTON — The provincial government's management of Alberta's increasingly stressed water resources is all wet, says the province's auditor general.
EDMONTON — The provincial government's management of Alberta's increasingly stressed water resources is all wet, says the province's auditor general.
" lacks effective processes to manage surface water allocations and use," said auditor general Doug Wylie."Public reporting on the outcomes of surface water management is lacking."In an emailed statement, department spokesman Ryan Fournier said it takes Wylie's conclusions seriously and is spending $18.5 million over three years on a review of the province’s water management and regulatory system.
There are no triggers that let managers know when water is running short. Little monitoring and enforcement is done to ensure current users are following their licences. As well, the report says Alberta's water management system is based on information that is years old. "Historic water licences aren't impacted by a water conservation objective," said Leonty."That does result in constraints, even when there is a conservation objective, to deal with that situation.Fournier said the upcoming review will work with water users to improve conservation and productivity. And it will modernize information management systems to allow managers to react more quickly.
"The government is essentially making decisions without knowledge or regard for the minimum amount of water required to keep our watersheds viable," she said."They're doing that without keeping records or sufficient regard to the public."Most of the province is considered either abnormally dry or under drought conditions from moderate to extreme. As of July 4, there were 23 water shortage advisories in the province.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Oilers playoff run pumps $179M into Edmonton’s economy: Explore EdmontonFigures suggest the first three rounds of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs have generated an estimated $179 million for Edmonton's local economy.
Read more »
Alberta man paints his car to support Edmonton OilersRandy AuBuchon has been a fan of the Oilers since the 1980s
Read more »
Alberta RCMP theft probe uncovers crime ring, some vehicles possibly used in Edmonton shootingsThe RCMP said the investigation resulted in numerous search warrants being executed in the Edmonton area.
Read more »
Alberta ends fiscal year with $4.3B surplusAlberta Finance Minister Nate Horner speaks to reporters in Edmonton on Thursday.
Read more »
More than McDavid: Edmonton Oilers historic playoffs run an all-round effortEDMONTON, ALBERTA - JUNE 21: Connor McDavid 97 of the Edmonton Oilers steps onto the ice to warm up prior to Game Six of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at Rogers Place on June 21, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Read more »
Panthers shrug off Game 4 rout with eye to finishing off Oilers in FloridaEDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 15: Aleksander Barkov 16 of the Florida Panthers falls into Stuart Skinner 74 of the Edmonton Oilers while Darnell Nurse 25 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts during the third period of Game Four of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on June 15, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Read more »