A newly proposed deal may resolve a major controversy over piping water from the Red Deer river basin to the Bow River basin. Following Drumheller's recent refusal to allow use of its water intake and infrastructure from the Red Deer River for a mega-entertainment complex located in the Bow River basin, a deal emerged with the Western Irrigation District (WID) who draws water from the Bow River. The WID is now offering to sell a portion of its water allocation — about 2000 acre-feet per year — for $15 million. The money will enable the irrigation district to convert 50 km of their open canal system to pipelines. But the deal must first be approved by WID members.

This proposed agreement between the MD of Rocky View and WID would utilize the emerging water market in Alberta that allows for the transfer of licensed water to new users. The water transferred to Balzac would be the same amount of water conserved in a water conservation project transitioning 50 km of open canals to a pipeline, which would save at least 2000 acre-feet (roughly 2,450,000 m³) per year. The $15 million obtained by the WID would be used to make these conservation improvements. Rocky View plans to recover their cost of $15 million cost through levies and fees passed onto developers (RVMD 2007).

WID's approval of the deal hinges on reaction from WID's members. WID's licence dates back to 1921, providing significant priority for water supply in water-short periods. This licence and WID's water system supplies water to 400 farmers, acreage owners, and industrial customers, as well as the communities of Strathmore, Standard, Rockyford, Gleichen, and Cluny (WID 2007).

A meeting of members was held June 21, 2007 in Strathmore where more than 150 people attended. Concerns were raised about whether the WID should sell off their water rights and others suggested the price of $15 million was too low. Finally, others suggested leasing the water to the MD rather than selling the water as a permanent transfer (D'Aliesio 2007).

A plebiscite of members might be required unless the WID Board can demonstrate to the Minister of Agriculture and Food that there will be no significant effect on members of the district. Should WID approve the deal, the MD of Rocky View will need to apply for a transfer licence with the Alberta Environment. Approval of this transfer will likely require a period of public consultation (RVMD 2007).

More issues to resolve...

Should the deal go through, there are still several issues left unresolved. Will the Alberta government follow through on its general promise to "return" 10 percent of any water transferred in the market system to the river? Should purpose of water use be a factor in future water allocation decisions? Is a mega-entertainment complex what should be supported by the little water remaining to be shared in the Bow River watershed? Since the amount of water transferred (6700 m³ per day) is not enough for the long-term needs of the development, estimated to be 15,000 m³ per day, where will the remaining water come from?

Sources:

Beauchamp, Paula. June 16, 2007. Balzac megamall taps into water: Irrigation district strikes pipeline deal. Calgary Herald.

D'Aliesio, Renata. June 22, 2007. Farmers voice concerns over water deal. Calgary Herald.

M.D. of Rocky View details water deal for $1 B Balzac mega-mall. Calgary Herald. June 15, 2007.

Municipal District of Rocky View (RVMD). June 15, 2007. Western Irrigation District/ Rocky View agreement fosters regional development.

Tetley, Deborah. June 16, 2007. Horse race industry fears $12-million hit: Calgary track shuts Sunday. Calgary Herald.

Western Irrigation District. 2007.