Charge Albertans for extra water use, scientist suggests

[CHIMO]

Charge Albertans for extra water use, scientist suggests
Last Updated: Monday, September 11, 2006 | 10:45 AM MT
CBC News

Alberta should treat water like a commodity and make people pay for using more than their share in order to force large companies to conserve, a scientist warned on Monday.

David Schindler, a University of Alberta biologist, made the comment as scientists and policymakers wrapped up an international forum on water policy in Banff.

Schindler said Albertans should be guaranteed a set amount of water for free, but people who exceed the allotment should be asked to pay full price for the extra amount.

"It's them that's a big part of the problem, not the poor guy who needs three litres a day to drink and 20 more to flush the toilet and wash his hands," Schindler said.

Schindler said the moratorium on new licenses was a start, but warned that unless more was done, Alberta could be forced to limit economic development in order to protect its strained water supply.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2006/09/11/water-policy.html