Fracking Frenzy: Alberta's Fracking Operations Drain Billions of Litres

Farmers and ranchers in Alberta are sounding alarms about the massive water use by fracking companies, which they claim is draining billions of litres from local creeks and rivers. Assar Grinde, a cattle rancher, started digging into data from Alberta's energy regulator after his farm's creek ran dry three years ago.

The rapid expansion of fracking operations has led to a snaking network of hoses drawing water from nearby creeks and rivers, which is then buried deep underground where the oil or gas used to be. Locals are concerned that this excessive water use will exacerbate existing water scarcity issues.

Farmers and ranchers have been calling on the Alberta Energy Regulator and elected officials to pay closer attention to the issue, but their responses have only made them more motivated and frustrated.