The Oil Sands Monitoring Program has unveiled its inaugural state of the environment report, focusing surface water quality and quantity in Alberta’s oil sands region. Analyzing over 50 years of data from more than 150 monitoring sites, the report indicates no clear, widespread changes in water quality downstream of oil sands activities along the Athabasca River. However, localized exceedances of metals and salts were observed in some smaller rivers and streams, prompting further investigation.
The collaborative program, involving provincial and federal governments, industry, and Indigenous partners, is among the world’s largest environmental monitoring initiatives. Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, emphasized the province’s commitment to transparency and environmental stewardship, assuring Albertans of the safety of their water and the energy sector’s dedication to responsible development.
The report also highlights that industrial water withdrawals constitute about two percent of the Athabasca River’s flow in winter and less than one percent in summer, underscoring the minimal impact of oil sands operations on the river’s overall water quantity.
In response to the findings, the program plans to enhance research and monitoring efforts, particularly in areas like the Muskeg River, to better understand the factors influencing water quality changes and to continue safeguarding both residents and wildlife.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
