Alberta’s Water Act supports and promotes responsible water conservation and responsible management across the province. As part of this, all gravel pit approval applications undergo a robust regulatory review before companies are authorized to divert or use water.
1686301 Alberta Ltd. operates a gravel pit between Edson and Hinton, and on June 14, 2021, it pumped water from the pit into a creek leading to the McLeod River. The pump was not at an authorized location in the pit and the discharge pipe was set too high, causing erosion to the bed and shore of the water body.
On December 19, 2023, 1686301 Alberta Ltd. pleaded guilty to one count under the Water Act for contravening a condition of its approval, which states that the approval holder shall prevent siltation and erosion of the McLeod River, Oxbow or any unnamed creek resulting from the activity. All remaining charges were withdrawn. The company was sentenced to a fine of $17,500.
Alberta is committed to protecting the environment, providing regulatory assurance and ensuring environmental compliance, and is committed to working with partners to assure safe, secure supplies of drinking water for Albertans.
Quick facts
- Regulatory requirements for air, water, land and biodiversity in Alberta are managed primarily through the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The act supports and promotes the protection, enhancement and wise use of the environment by designating which proposed activities require approval or registration.
- If you have information about a spill, release or emergency that could damage the environment, call 1-800-222-6514, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.