Central Alberta farmers concerned by fracking operations use of water [Video]

A number of farmers near Rimbey, Alta., are raising concerns about a nearby hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operation, saying they believe its significant use of water is having an impact on their businesses.

“The consequences on our herd, it’s devastating,” said Butch Smith, who added his family has operated a bison farm in the area for three decades.

“Our animals in the feedlot — for three-and-a-half months — did zero gain on full feed, our yearlings, which is the way we make our living.”

Smith and others have voiced concerns ever since Calgary-based Spartan Delta Corp. began work on its fracking operation last year after purchasing land to do so in the area.

The Alberta Energy Regulator describes fracking as “a technique used to break up the rocks deep inside the earth to help get the oil and natural gas flowing,” noting the process has been used in more than 180,000 wells in …