Water

What We're Doing: Water

Since we launched this website in June 2008, thousands of people have visited the site and voiced their opinions.

For what we’ve heard, go to “What You’re Saying – Water”.

For information on what the oil sands industry is doing, go to “What We’re Doing – Water” and “What We’re Doing – Innovation”.

Water is used in both mining and in situ oil sands production.

Oil sands water technology is improving, and most of the water used in oil sands production is recycled. This reduces the draw on fresh water sources. However, the size and growth of these operations means that overall water use remains significant.

The original oil sands mining projects draw fresh water from the Athabasca River. Today, oil sands mining projects use less than one percent of the water that flows in the Athabasca River. However, that figure is projected to grow to two percent of the river’s flow if all the oil sands mining projects that are currently planned go ahead. Opinions differ on the long-term impacts of this draw on the river.

For in situ projects, the biggest use of water is to generate steam to be injected underground. The water is drawn from underground aquifers rather than from the Athabasca River, and in most cases the water used is saline or brackish (not drinkable). In situ water technology has also improved considerably. As one example, fresh water use at Imperial Oil’s Cold Lake in situ facility has dropped from 3.5 barrels of fresh water for every barrel of bitumen in 1985 to half a barrel of fresh water per barrel of bitumen today.

Water, like oil, is a precious resource on our planet. Water use is an important part of the oil sands conversation. Tell us what you think.

See the related links below. Please note that these links are intended to provide diverse perspectives. We do not endorse or necessarily agree with the specific views or information presented.

Related Links

Pembina Institute:

Down to the Last Drop: The Athabasca River

Polaris Institute:

Water depletion

World Wildlife Fund:

Athabasca River and oil sands development

CAPP:

2007 Stewardship Report – Water

Imperial Oil:

Oil and Water: Producing One, Protecting the Other

Connecting the Drops:

Oil Sands Indepth

Alberta Environment:

Athabasca River water management framework

RAMP:

Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program