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HomeNewsGroundwater mapping underway in BC's North

Groundwater mapping underway in BC’s North

A health study released last week by the province concluded that natural gas development and fracking does not pose a health risk to northern residents.

The study still made a number of recommendations in an attempt to protect groundwater in the areas seeing development. The effect of fracking on groundwater has been the most well documented issue, that led to the process being banned in a handful of American states.

Christie Ciruna led the development of the Northeast Water Strategy, which was a part of the response to the recommendations

“The most important actions we can be taking right now in regards to ground water is actually understanding more about the resource itself.” Ciruna said “It’s very different from surface water where we can see lakes and rivers and it’s very easy to access them.”

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“We need to understand more about where these aquifers actually exist in the province. Once we actually know where they exist … to be able to monitor the water flowing through them, how it connects with the surface water and quality.” Ciruna added

Multiple groups including First nations and GeoScienceBC have begun sinking test wells into the ground to map out the north’s aquifers as well as starting baseline testing to see how development affects them once it expands.

Additionally, a new website called FracFocus.ca has been launched where gas companies will be required publish exactly what they are they are pumping into the ground via their fracking fluid.

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