EDMONTON - The Alberta government has ordered four oilsands giants to reduce the amount of water they use from the Athabasca River.
Alberta Environment says water flow levels in the river have dropped into the "yellow" warning zone and withdrawals may increase stress on the ecosystem.
The companies affected include Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ), Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU), Syncrude Canada Ltd. and Shell's Albian Sands.
All of the projects are located downstream of Fort McMurray in northeastern Alberta.
The province says the low water levels are naturally occurring, but noted it's the first time the government has ordered the companies to reduce the amount of river water they use.
Environmental, conservation and aboriginal groups have been critical of the amount of water that oilsands projects use.
