Alberta oil sands water guide

Water sources used by oil sands projects

Projects can use nonsaline surface or groundwater, saline groundwater, recycled process water and produced water depending on approvals and technology.

Source waterAlberta

Editorial review: August 11, 2026 · Lydia M. Carstairs

System role

Source choice affects treatment needs and environmental pressure.

How it is managed

Alberta approvals limit and track withdrawals, and projects are encouraged to use alternative or recycled sources where practical.

Environmental context

Nonsaline water has broader ecological and human value, so reducing withdrawals is meaningful.

What to keep in mind

Availability and suitability are project-specific.

High-level industrial education only. Water-treatment chemistry, tailings facilities, steam systems and environmental controls are regulated site-specific systems; this site does not provide operating recipes, setpoints or procedures.