Edmonton

Water is a major issue in Alberta. Climate Change, overallocation and pollution all play a major role in affecting our water resources.  The ActionH2O campaign is about raising water conciousness within our city and promoting the need for water conservation, while at the same time expanding on the question of 'Water Conservation for What?'. As a community in the hot bed of oil and gas development, it is essential that our cities play a lead role in ensuring water is conserved for our ecosystems and human needs, not just the wants of more industrial expansion. 
 
Water conservation is important to ensure that an adequate level of water is kept in our lakes and rivers. This water serves not only to provide for the lives in our surrounding ecosystems, but also to dilute the pollution and run-off that is consistent with our existing community and economic developments. Lower stream flows mean that there will be a higher density of pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, carcinogens, arsenic, mercury and other contaminants that will end up in our drinking water. 
 
Presently, the Alberta Government is reviewing how water is allocated and managed for the province, meaning the time has never been so important for communities to engage in building their municipal support for just water conservation policies that ensure water is protected and prioritized for our rivers and lakes, our basic human rights, and of course, our future generations.
 
For more information on the review of water allocation in Alberta please see: www.gotthirstalberta.ca