8/7/2019 Council of Canadians letter to the Mayor of Moncton

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Re: sale of Moncton Water to Apache Canada

Friday, 12 November, 2010

Dear Mayor LeBlanc and Councillors of Greater Moncton / Cher M. le Maire et conseilleurs,

The Council of Canadians is very concerned about the City of Moncton is selling its drinking

water to Apache Canada for testing for potential hydraulic fracturing projects in the Elgin area

of New Brunswick. This is the first case that we know of where a city has sold its drinking water

for hydraulic fracturing. We believe that the bulk sale of public water for the purpose of a

controversial project that could destroy the local water aquifer should be stopped.

As you probably know, hydraulic fracturing (also known as "fracking" or hydro-fracking) is a

technique used to release oil and natural gas from conventional and unconventional sources. In

order to extract natural gas from underground formations, a fluid made with water, sand and

chemicals is injected at a pressure that cracks open the formation and forces the gas up the

well.

Hydraulic fracturing poses a threat to fresh water quality either through ground water

contamination resulting from the injections of toxic fracking fluids into or near aquifers or

through the handling and spilling of waste fluids. Fluid waste containing toxic and radioactive

substances, known as "wastewater flowback" is often stored in large pits. Sometimes it is

treated at municipal water treatments facilities and discharged into waterways putting drinkingwater supplies at risk.

There are several reports of drinking water contamination associated with hydraulic fracturing

where the method has been used in the United States. There are documented cases of families

in Pennsylvania and Albert who were able to light their tap water on fire because of high levels

of methane from nearby fracking projects. According to a U.S. Environmental protection Agency

study, 20 to 40 per cent of the toxic fluids can remain can remain trapped in target formations

for decades. This means the extent of the contamination is difficult to measure and may not

reveal itself till decades later.

We were surprised to hear that Moncton City Council did not have a full debate on the issue,

including an opportunity for public input, before allowing up to six to eight tanker truck loads of

water to be sold every day from the Turtle Creek Reservoir. We are particularly concerned

because this amount of water is being used for testing and the amount of water will

significantly increase beyond the exploration stage. In past cases, it has been estimated that

approximately 2 to 9 million gallons of water are required for a single "fracking" project.

8/7/2019 Council of Canadians letter to the Mayor of Moncton

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We are also very concerned that there is no process for limiting how much water can be

purchased from the city. The World Bank predicted that by 2030, global demand for water will

exceed supply by 40%. Increasing water scarcity and stress, which is exacerbated by climate

change, threaten Canadas freshwater resources. We do not believe that the City of Moncton

should approve fracking projects which not only use massive amounts of water, but also

severely pollutes local water sources.

We urge Moncton City Council to revoke the selling of its water for this controversial mining

technique. We understand that the citys sustainable environment committee met on Friday to

discuss this information and to find out more from research the staff has been asked to

provide. We are glad to hear that the City of Moncton will be reviewing the entire process for

selling water in bulk, which currently has no checks and balances. We request that Council

provide an opportunity for public input as part of your review of this policy.

We look forward to hearing from you Mr. Mayor any updates you are able to send our way, but

most certainly on the outcomes of this policy review.

Nous vous prions dagrer, Mesdames et Monsieurs, lexpression de nos sentiments distingus.

Angela Giles

Atlantic Regional Organizer

Council of Canadians

Susan Jardine

Chapter Contact

Greater Moncton Chapter, Council of Canadians

Emma Lui

National Water Campaigner

Council of Canadians