Guest Columnist: Brad Cabana

Chateau Lake Louise Waste Water Probe

The Chateau Lake Louise has a reputation as an environmentally friendly hotel, but is that reputation fully deserved? While scrutinizing their application to build a new water treatment facility and reservoir, I noted that the size of the reservoir was three times the size of the old one. It also came to light that their water losses, the difference between what they produce and consume, were ranging from 20% to 45% a month. This trend had been occurring for at least seven years. The volumes of water missing were massive- on average 500 semi-tractor loads worth a month. With the Chateau’s business volume actually decreasing each year, the question was why not fix your water losses rather than increase your storage capacity?

The Chateau, and Parks Canada, argued the increased capacity was needed to offset low production levels during peak times of the summer-despite the majority of water losses occurring in the winter months. The filters at the original plant were plugging, and the necessary water for operations was not adequate to meet demand. The logical choice to correct this problem would be a new filtration system and modern pump house. Both organizations refused to consider any other alternative. Despite the proposal being rejected by the Board the project went ahead, the Board’s decision having been vetoed by Parks Canada. The Chateau was given licence to take what it needed from Lake Louise and ignore its operational shortcomings. Dollars triumphed over conservation.

I resigned from the Board to pursue some justice for the Lake. The resulting press coverage brought forward two former employees of the Chateau who indicated that the Chateau was dumping waste water directly into Louise Creek. They thought this might explain the missing water, but this water was already metered and did not impact on loss numbers. However, it did outline another poor environmental practise of the Chateau. I sampled some pipe sites and found that the Chateau was dumping chlorinated water into the Creek. Surrounding these sites are large algae beds that do not exist at other points along the Creek. Parks launched an investigation, and found the pollution to be negligible. They did however order the Chateau to immediately cease dumping waste water into the Lake or Creek. The Chateau was forced to install a bypass to redirect this water to the sewage treatment plant.

Parks and the Chateau have yet to produce the loss numbers for the new plant as they had promised-information that is by law public information. The new plant, which they argued would resolve the issue of water losses, has been operational since July, 2009. The first three months of its operation showed massive losses still occurring. That is when the information flow was stopped. It is important for all Canadians to realize that the pretty picture of Lake Louise they are used to seeing is superficial, and the truth of the matter is a legacy of environmental negligence. After all, people come for the environment – we can get hotels anywhere.

Biography: Brad Cabana

Brad is 45 year old resident of Canmore, Alberta. he owns a small business and is married with two young children. He served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, to the rank of Captain. Brad has a degree in Political Science from the University of Saskatchewan. He served as Mayor of Elstow, Saskatchewan for nine years (three terms). he is involved directly and indirectly with politics at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Most recently he was a board member of the Advisory Development Board for Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.