There was an alarming happening on January 13 near Gleniffer Lake that but for the quick action of a farmer, could have contaminated our source of water.
The Innisfail Province did not consider this important enough to put on the front page of the January 24 edition. In fact, there are those who never read the Gazette and therefore would not have been aware of it at all.
To me, this is a red flag of great importance. This practice of hydraulic fracturing must be banned. There are many places in Canada and other countries that have already banned it. It threatens groundwater and surface water as well. These big companies are taking for granted that small-town folk and ordinary people will allow any and all "Oil Patch" operations. The Energy Resources Conservation Board calls this blowout "very rare." I would respectfully suggest that we should keep watch because it can and will happen again. We cannot trust ERCB to conserve everything, least of all our potable water.
Hydraulic fracturing is happening all over Alberta and not only poisoning group water but the process consumes millions of gallons of water that is forever lost to the hydrological cycle. This water is contaminated by a chemical mix of poisons that is lethal. It can never be used again.
As taxpayers and voters, I would suggest now is an excellent time to let our elected officials know that we value clean drinkable water as most important.
Florence Havill
Innisfail
