Wells can produce anything from a flood to a trickle and as a result a community organization is hosting a water forum to ensure residents are aware of the water issues facing the region.

The Priddis-Millarville Residents Association (PMRA) is holding a water forum at the Millarville Racetrack Hall, March 20 at 1 p.m. in order to raise awareness of the water situation in the community.

Ken McCreath is a Priddis-Millarville resident concerned about water conservation within the area he lives. The Priddis-Millarville Residents Association will be hosting a water seminar on Saturday at the Millarville racetrack. photo by Rick Northrop

Ken McCreath lives in the Priddis-Millarville area and, like his neighbours, gets his drinking water from a well. What’s different in McCreath’s case is that his well will produce as much as he requires whereas some people are forced to truck their water in at great expense because their wells don’t produce at all.

“Greater knowledge might lead people to then start pressuring for better regulations about how we treat water,” said McCreath, an executive member of the PMRA.

The meeting is to give the public a better idea of what the water resources in the area are and let them know some concern should be raised over future developments, at least until a study into the water supply in the area can be done.

“That maybe the rules should be tightened up a little bit,” said McCreath.

The list of five scheduled speakers for the forum includes: Heather Sinton, regional manager for Alberta Environment; Joe Obad, associate director with Water Matters; and Mike Kelly, chair of the Bow River Basin Council.

“In any event water is a big issue so we are trying to put together some experts to explain what is going on,” said McCreath.

Unlike Okotoks or Calgary, residents of the Millarville-Priddis area don’t get their water from a singular source. In the past, concerns have been raised over new developments and the impact they could have on the groundwater supply.

“It’s spotty water all over the place and it’s like that throughout this area,” said McCreath.

When it came time to drill for water on his land, McCreath had to hire a licensed well driller but there are no restrictions on the amount of water he can pull from the well.

PMRA executive member Suzanne Oel, who lives on an acreage, echoed McCreath’s concerns about water scarcity and hopes the March 20 meeting will serve as a starting point for future discussions.

“What we are trying to do is make a convenient opportunity for our community to be informed on the water management issues,” said Oel.

There is a need for sharing of information regarding water resources and water management said Oel.

“There is nobody who can give a complete answer as to how we are going to go forward because there are so many questions,” said Oel. “The more we are aware of what the pieces of the puzzle are, the more we are able to come up with solutions.”

A $5 donation is suggested at the door and the meeting is expected to run until 4 p.m.

rnorthrop@okotoks.greatwest.ca

http://www.priddis-millarville.ca/

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