Albertans invited to participate in water conversation

Edmonton... Albertans from across the province are invited to share their thoughts on water as part of a province-wide conversation.

Public sessions are scheduled to take place in 20 communities across the province, beginning February 19.

Albertans who are unable to take part in the three-hour facilitated sessions can participate in the conversation in a variety of ways, including an online survey that will be available from February 11 to March 29. The survey and other information related to the water conversation are available at www.waterconversation.alberta.ca.

While Albertans are welcome to raise any water-related topic, the conversation will focus on four priority areas: healthy lakes; water use in hydraulic fracturing; drinking water and wastewater systems; and water management.

“Albertans are passionate about water issues, and they want to have a say in how we manage this resource into the future,” said Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Diana McQueen. “During our recent consultations on the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, water was the number one issue Albertans talked about. This conversation is an opportunity for Albertans to delve even deeper into this important topic. We will be clear however, that Alberta’s water is not for sale and will never be for sale to other jurisdictions.”

In addition to the facilitated public sessions, government will hold several targeted stakeholder sessions in communities where Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils already exist. These meetings will engage stakeholders that have a significant interest and involvement in water management. First Nations and Métis are being engaged on water issues through separate processes.

Visit the Government of Alberta newsroom http://newsroom.alberta.ca.