The Cleaner, Greener, More Affordable Water Cooler for Edmonton

Edmonton water has always been abundant thanks to its ideal location along the North Saskatchewan River. Indigenous tribes have lived in the area for thousands of years, possibly as far back as the end of the last ice age around 10,000 BC, when the land became bountiful with water, as well as timber and wildlife. European fur traders and farmers began to settle in the area by the early 1800s, relying on the North Saskatchewan River for water. After World War II, the discovery of oil turned the city into a boomtown, earning its new status as the “Oil Capital of Canada”. Although great for the economy, oil sands may impact Edmonton drinking water supply.

Today, EPCOR Utilities oversees Edmonton water and wastewater distribution. The North Saskatchewan River remains the city’s sole source of water. Edmonton water treatment protection also includes the watershed upstream of the Rossdale Water Treatment Plant up to headwaters in the Rocky Mountains. According to Edmonton Water, drought, pollution, and population growth continue to challenge the region’s drinking water. In addition, controversial oil sands tailings may also impact Edmonton water quality. Oil sands tailings involves using freshwater to separate oils and other mining materials from the sand and storing it in tailings ponds. As CBC points, flooding can cause tailings ponds to overflow and pollute water with harmful materials like fertilizer and fuels. To reduce risk of flooding, the federal government may allow oil sands operators in northern Alberta to release treated water back into the environment.