Controversy
The North Dakota government has stated that the project has received final approval, however the International Joint Commission has not approved any measure related to NAWS.
The Canadian Government has taken issue with the program, as it moves water from the Missouri River basin, which flows south into the United States, to the Souris River basin, which flows north into Canada, possibly introducing foreign microbes into the water supply. Under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, any such interbasin transfers must be approved by the International Joint Commission.
As water levels in Lake Sakakawea continue to fall, water supplies all around the reservoir have become depleted. By the time the NAWS pipelines are completed, the reservoir may be too low to feasibly activate the project.
Read more about this topic: Northwest Area Water Supply
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