Toxic tailings: Oilsands water could be released
Extracting bitumen from Alberta\u2019s oilsands requires water \u2014 lots of it. And for decades, oilsands companies in Canada were banned from releasing the used water back into the environment. So as the industry skyrocketed, the reservoirs of water grew. \n\nThere are now more than 1.4 trillion litres of toxic wastewater stored in these tailings ponds. Experts say that could be a disaster waiting to happen. \n\nThe federal government is working on regulations that would eventually allow companies to treat and release the water back into rivers and lakes. Business reporter Kyle Bakx explains why some are questioning the safety of that plan \u2014 while others say it\u2019s absolutely necessary.