WHEREAS sources of water which can be used for domestic purposes and livestock use are being reduced or depleted;AND WHEREAS many smaller communities and rural residents are very dependent on productive aquifers;AND WHEREAS the quality of potable (drinking) water is being more and more threatened by increases in population and economic activities;AND WHEREAS the contamination of aquifers is irreversible;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request that the Government of Alberta ensure that all safeguards are taken to protect aquifers, and in particular, that anyone drilling through aquifers be required to use treated potable (drinking) water in order that aquifers not be contaminated;AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Alberta establish a cross-ministry initiative to ensure that all ministries responsible for any aspect of water use have congruent policies, regulations and enforcement.

Background information will be provided verbally at the convention.

The AAMDC has two resolutions currently in effect with respect to this issue. Resolution 11-02F, endorsed at the fall 2002 convention, urges the province to immediately halt the use of fresh water for oilfield injection and promote research into the use of carbon dioxide for oilfield injection purposes. In its response, the province stated that its Water for Life strategy recommends the reduction, and eventual elimination, of practices that remove water from the water cycle. The water strategy concluded that all Albertans must conserve more water.Resolution 9-01F, endorsed at the fall 2001 convention, calls on the province to prohibit the injection of fresh water for industrial purposes. The provincial response stated that Alberta Environment is developing a consultation process to develop a water strategy for the province, consultations that will include the issue of potable water for oilfield injection and industrial needs.