Inventory of Water Use Requirements and Effluent Discharge Characteristics Related to Oil Sands Development

An inventory of historical data on water use requirements and effluent discharge characteristics related to oil sands developments has been collected and tabulated. The inventory data indicate that surface water bodies are the main sources of the water supply and main recipients of effluent. Since the Athabasca River is the principal surface water associated with these functions, a water balance was developed which accounted for all the major withdrawals and discharges to this river. Currently, the annual rate of withdrawal from the Athabasca River downstream of Fort McMurray is 2.34m3/s. The amount of effluent discharge to the Athabasca River is 0.89 m3/s, which indicates a yearly balance of 38% return. With respect to the water quality of the Athabasca River, the inventory data provide an historical summary of the quality, quantity, and some plant operational details associated with each of the oil sands developments. With the aid of additional information, the inventory data may be used in assessing the existing and predicting the future water quality of the Athabasca River. An evaluation of a number of data management systems revealed that Computer Sciences Canada Ltd. and their MANAGE data base management system ranked the highest in providing the needs associated with water quality and quantity management.