Got Thirst?

(Edmonton) — The Sierra Club Prairie launched a province wide campaign today, exposing the gaps in Alberta’s water law and calling attention to the recommendations for changes to Alberta’s Water Act that propose a province-wide, deregulated water market without ensuring the adequate protections for our provincial waters or for basic human needs. The 'Got Thirst' campaign's website was launched today – www.gotthirstalberta.ca with an accompanying video that can be viewed on the website.

“Alberta is on the brink of a serious water crisis and this review is an opportunity to get our water laws right by ensuring that the enough clean water is protected for our rivers, for our families, and for future generations,” said Sheila Muxlow, Water Campaigner for Sierra Club Prairie. “We are taking the message directly to Albertan's - something the Alberta Government is not itself doing - because water is something that impacts us all and this is an essential conversation that the public needs to be in on.”

The Sierra Club Prairie Got Thirst Campaign highlights two primary points:

1) Water rights must be protected and prioritized for basic community needs, for the health of our lakes, rivers and groundwater systems and for future generations;

2) That a deregulated water market that sells water to the highest bidder will threaten access and protection of water for human and environmental health;

In addition to the online presence, the Sierra Club Prairie will travel to several Alberta communities meeting with local community groups and leaders. One goal is to encourage public action in the lead up to and during the Province-wide consultations promised by the government for this spring.

“Albertan’s can’t afford to sit this one out, Water Law determines who and what receives ensured access to water. In a province short on water and big on industry, water rights for local people and ecosystems need to be protected so we are not left high and dry,” concludes Muxlow.

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For more information, please contact:

Sheila Muxlow. Water Campaigner, Sierra Club Prairie Chapter – 780 660 0312.