Eco-Journal, v.17.2 March/April 2007
By Lindsay Telfer
The Prairie Provinces face major water challenges in the 21st century. Climate change, rapid and sprawling urbanization, and pressure to produce more oil and more food threaten human health, economic development and ecological integrity.
Until recently, citizens relied primarily on governments for safe, reliable supplies of water and for environmental stewardship. That has changed: citizens and civil society organizations are looking for ways to participate directly in formulating water and environmental policies. The catalyst issues are well known. In the realm of water quality, Walkerton, Kashechewan and North Battleford come directly to mind. Increasingly, problems are not limited to water quality-water quantity concerns are also prominent. Climate change, tar sands development, water shortages in southern Alberta, and conflicts over proposed dams threaten ecological integrity and socioeconomic stability.
Establishing effective water management practices are necessary to protect the integrity of water ecosystems both for current and for future generations. The plans of a new water initiative in the area are to span political boundaries and unite the Prairie Provinces in a joint statement of expectations for water security across the region.
The Prairie Provinces share a critical river basin that spans from the headwaters of the Saskatchewan River system in the Rocky Mountains to the rivers that flow through Alberta, Saskatchewan and into Manitoba as they reach their destination in Lake Winnipeg. What happens upstream in the system impacts downstream communities, uses and activities. We are entering into a time of increased pressure on water resources across the Prairie Provinces and climate forecasts are sending signals that suggest, even despite other pressures, water resources may become scarce in certain regions in the future.
Currently, each of the Prairie Provinces has substantial differences in water law and policy. The primary communication on interjurisdictional water management across the three provinces falls under the auspices of the Prairie Provinces water board (PPWB).
The board, formed in 1948, was originally tasked with monitoring the implementation of allocation agreements made between the three provinces. This agreement, still in place today, requires Alberta to pass along 50% of natural flows to Saskatchewan who in turn must pass along 50% of their natural flows on to Manitoba. In recent years the boards mandate has been broadened to start addressing water quality and groundwater concerns.
A people’s statement on water management
Does the water allocation agreement made between the three provinces in the 1940s even hold true given today’s knowledge and public desires for ecological preservation? Collectively, across borders, our communities need to share in decision-making to ensure that our shared water resources are clean and healthy now and into the future. We need to have safe water to drink. We can ensure that upstream users consider the effects of those living downstream. As communities, we decide what water uses we prioritize.
The Prairie Provinces Statement of Expectation for Water Sustainability will engage citizen groups, non-governmental organizations, First Nations and academia in a people’s statement on effective water management in the region. Over the course of the next 8 months the team will work alongside interested citizens, community groups, NGOs and First Nations to unite a truly inter-provincial network to protect our shared water.
For more information contact Lindsay Telfer with the Sierra Club of Canada’s Prairie Chapter at Lindsay@sierraclub.ca or by calling 780-439-1160.