Northern water wars brewing, predicts Miltenberger

The Northwest Territories is on the brink of a water war between political jurisdictions in the country, Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger says.

Miltenberger, whoseriding sits just north of Alberta's massive oilsands development,told CBC News there is concern about low water levels and how the oilsands are affecting the waterways downstream from the development.

Although there is a transboundary water agreement, which includes the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Alberta, British Columbiaand Saskatchewan, many of the commitments are not being honoured, he said.

"We can't give up this fight. As we move forward, we're going to end up like the Mikisew Cree [of northern Alberta]. We're going to have to start intervening directly in every expansion application that takes place in Alberta in the tarsands because we are directly impacted," he said.

"We're going to end up forming alliances with the aboriginal governments to protect the water and that may require court action. We cannot count on the federal government to look after our interests."

The Northwest Territories and Alberta are working on a bilateral agreement but it is not expected to be completed for at least three years.

In the meantime, the use of water by the oilsands is expected to increase.