ADVERTISEMENT

Calgary

Presentation to Lethbridge committee in opposition of coal mining

Published: 

A City of Lethbridge economic and finance standing policy committee received a presentation on the potential water quality concerns coal mining could have.

The City of Lethbridge’s economic and finance standing policy committee received a presentation on Thursday on the potential water quality concerns coal mining could have.

About a dozen people showed up to council chambers for the presentation in opposition of coal mining.

The city’s presentation shows the water treatment plant cannot remove selenium or metals from source water if contaminated.

The report says due to potential water quality contaminants associated with coal mining, there are potential concerns for the city.

“Selenium is one of those pieces that is more suited to being dealt with (by a) wastewater treatment plant,” said Mark Svenson, City of Lethbridge environment manager.

“You have to actually impound the water to get it to come out of the water column, and so a wastewater treatment plant or a system set up like that can deal with some of those pieces—some of those elements—where a water treatment plant on the source side just can’t at this point.”

Presentation to Lethbridge committee in opposition of coal mining A City of Lethbridge economic and finance standing policy committee received a presentation on the potential water quality concerns coal mining could have.

In February, council voted unanimously to re-commit its opposition to any and all coal developments that risk damage to the Oldman watershed.

The mayor also wrote a letter to the province stating that opposition.