The safety and quality of ground water is becoming a concern for many people because of increased oil and gas activity, especially the drilling of coalbed methane wells in rural areas, said a senior analyst with the Pembina Institute, a western-based environmental policy organization.
More than 200 producers from across Alberta were in Camrose March 7 for the first meeting in a series of six planned in Alberta on coalbed methane development in the province.
“It shows me Albertans are concerned in a way they’ve not been concerned before that people would come out to meetings like this in such large numbers. It indicates the high level of concern among Albertans,” said Mary Griffiths, author of the book When the Oilpatch Comes to Your Backyard, which includes a section on coalbed methane.
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Jessica Ernst of Rosebud, Alta., said she had good drinking water before coalbed methane drilling began in her central Alberta area.
She said she suffers from skin irritations and burns from the water, which she blames on the increased drilling activity by Encana, one of Canada’s largest oil and gas exploration companies.
Rona Lee Campbell from Ponoka said she too has gas in her water well and wants to know why the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, which regulates the oil and gas industry, doesn’t regulate the protection of ground water.
“We have an issue with gas in our water. My concern is if water is not part of the EUB mandate, how are we going to handle the problem of water in coalbed methane because they’re connected,” said Campbell.
“Whatever the cause, however, it’s getting there, we have to be looking after it because fresh ground water is the lifeblood of rural Alberta,” said Griffiths.
A day before the meeting, the Alberta government announced it would develop standards and reporting procedures for testing of well water to establish water quality before coalbed methane drilling begins. It also announced a two-year program to map ground water resources in central Alberta.
The mapping will focus on the Ardley coal zone, where fresh ground water may be pumped from the coal seam during methane extraction.
Baseline testing is essential if the government is to continue with its coalbed methane development, said Ernst.
“This is fantastic news. It’s a year too late. It’s no good for people already surrounded by CBM,” she said.
Richard Secord, an environmental lawyer, said farmers must recognize the importance of testing water before oil or gas wells are drilled.
“Even if the oil company won’t test your well for quality and quantity, you should do it yourself for the little money it costs,” said Secord.
It’s almost impossible to prove damages if there is no baseline testing before the well is drilled, he said.
Scott Ranson, a spokesperson for Encana based out of Calgary, said the company is hearing for the first time about concerns people have about methane in their water wells, although naturally occurring methane has been in some water wells for years.
“It’s new that people have expressed concerns and we’ve perked up our ears about this and we’re trying to listen better,” said Ranson. Encana offers baseline testing before drilling.
