How much water is being taken from the Athabasca River by oil sands projects?
Strict limits are placed on industry water use through Alberta’s Water Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River. This leading-edge framework puts a weekly cap on how much water oil sands companies can remove, which is tied to the fluctuating flow of the river. All existing and approved oil sands projects will withdraw less than three per cent of the average annual flow of the Athabasca River. During periods of low river flow, Alberta Environment has a plan that limits water consumption to 1.3 per cent of annual average flow. At times, this can mean that industrial users will be restricted to less than half of their normal requirement given current approved development. As well, the second phase of the Water Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River may consider a specific flow level range when withdrawals will no longer be allowed.
