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 drinking
water 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.
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 Canada’s 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 city’s 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 d’agréer, Mesdames et Monsieurs, l’expression de nos sentiments distingués.

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