WHEREAS the Grimshaw Gravels Aquifer is a shallow aquifer, andWHEREAS the Grimshaw Gravels Aquifer serves some 8,000 residents in the Municipal District of Northern Lights No.22, Town of Grimshaw, Village of Berwyn, Municipal District of Peace No. 135, Municipal District of Fairview No. 136 and Municipal District of Clear Hills No. 21, andWHEREAS the protection of the aquifer from contamination is critical to continued usage by area residents, andWHEREAS there are 300 wells in the aquifer that require proper abandonment, andWHEREAS there are many wells throughout the Province requiring abandonment, andWHEREAS the requirements that a well be filled with impervious material is a costly and time consuming procedure for the landowner, andWHEREAS the Province of Alberta considers the cost of abandoning a well to be the responsibility of the current land owner,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Province of Alberta to review their well abandonment regulations to allow a more cost effective method of water well abandonment consistent with other Provinces.

The Province of Manitoba recognized that the use of low permeability material may be cost prohibitive and allows the use of sand together with bentonite chips layers. This method will work for both large and small diameter wells. As the sand will flow into the casing or cribbed well much easier than clay, well abandonment projects can be done by individuals on their own property thereby reducing costs.

The AAMDC has no resolutions currently in effect with respect to this issue.