Water is an essential resource for both residents and businesses in and around Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. Two factors contribute to the health of this resource – quality and quantity. Quality is affected by contaminants from a variety of sources, including agricultural run-off, and discharges from municipal and industrial operations. Quantity is the amount of water flowing through a system, which is impacted by all users who draw water for consumption. Both quality and quantity must be properly managed to achieve healthy water systems.
Beginning in 2000 and continuing today, a regional groundwater study and monitoring program was developed and implemented. Ongoing efforts of the Northeast Capital Industrial Association (NCIA) and Alberta Environment enable this monitoring program to achieve its objectives of understanding and maintaining the quality of the region’s water.
Additionally, the Water Management Framework for the Industrial Heartland and Capital Region Report is underway. This framework addresses water quantity and quality issues in the North Saskatchewan River, focusing on the stretch of river from Devon to Pakan. These initiatives, in combination with the Government of Alberta’s Water for Life strategy, build upon each other to achieve successful management of the water supply in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
Initiatives and progress in 2011:
- NCIA is working with the provincial government and multi-stakeholder groups on implementing a Water Management Framework for the Capital Region and Industrial Heartland as part of the Cumulative Effects Management Framework.
- NCIA is working with the provincial government and multi-stakeholder groups on developing a Groundwater Framework for the Capital Region and Industrial Heartland as part of the Cumulative Effects Management Framework.
To obtain further information on a variety of topics relating to water, please contact:
