Surface Water Diversion learning portal updated

Widely used by the oil and gas industry, the eLearning tool now also includes diversion from groundwater sources and current regulatory requirements.

CALGARY, ALBERTA (August 31, 2019) –– Albertans depend on the energy industry to develop resources using the Province’s precious water resources safely and responsibly. For this reason, it’s crucial the oil and gas industry clearly understands environmental and regulatory compliance as it relates to Alberta water regulations.

Alberta’s Water Act supports and promotes the conservation and management of water in Alberta. A web-based educational tool to assist with compliance with the Water Act was developed in 2012 and made available for industry-wide use. This eLearning tool was used extensively in the upstream oil and natural gas industry to train employees and contractors on requirements related to diversion of surface water.

The training course has now been updated with current regulations and expanded to include groundwater diversions. This project was completed by Clear Environmental Solutions and Skeeter Media, and funded by the Alberta Upstream Petroleum Research Fund (AUPRF). AUPRF is the applied research arm of Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) with funding supported by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (EPAC).

As Tannis Such, Director of Environmental Research and Initiatives for PTAC, explains, “This tool allows companies to ensure their internal and external staff are aware of and understand regulatory requirements related to water use in Alberta. To date, over 1600 people have completed the course.”

After completing the course, users will be able to:

  • Communicate the potential impacts of water diversion on a body of water,
  • Discuss the appropriate approvals required for water diversion and associated activities, and
  • Describe how to execute your role in monitoring, compliance and reporting.

This easy-to-use learning portal contains resources and training to ensure users understand how to do their part in properly managing water resources in Alberta. Other features include:

  • Navigating Alberta’s Water Act and regulatory compliance
  • Understanding potential impacts of water diversion, reporting, and when/how to apply for approval
  • Compliance management requirements related to diversion of surface water

Increasing organizational capacity for compliance enables industry performance. “The Surface Water Diversion learning tool assists oil and gas industry employees working in environmental and regulatory roles to understand the Water Act and its application, thus supporting improved compliance and performance”, says Tara Payment, Manager of Water, Health, and Safety at CAPP.

The updated Surface Water Diversion learning portal is now ready for use. For more information and to take this important eLearning course, go to https://surfacewaterdiversion.com.