Water sold for fracking raises policy concerns in Cochrane

The Town of Cochrane, located just west of Calgary,is looking at issues around the town's bulk water supply.

Residents there have expressedconcerns about large amounts of drinking water being sold off to oil and gas companies, whichuse it for fracking operations in the area.

Mayor Truper McBride says there is currently no policy in place andpeople are divided on how to proceed.

"I think there's some, of course,that don't want us to be selling water to the oil and gas industry for frackingconsidering what's done to the water and how it goes into the ground," he said. "ButI think thatthereare others who say this is industry that we should be supportiveif we can."

McBride say the townwants to avoidthe double standard oftelling residents to conserve water while selling large amounts of it to the oil and gas industry.

"The thinking right now is, 'Should we ought to have something,' " he said. "And so there is an administrative review in place right nowto look at what might that look like, is itis appropriate or does itin fact apply."