Water studies underway

The United Nations designates March 22 as World Water Day, which has been celebrated for almost two decades, to acknowledge the value of water and humanity's need to conserve it.

"From Lake Athabasca in the far north of our province, to Lake Diefenbaker in the south, the Government of Saskatchewan is taking action to protect our water," Environment Minister and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Dustin Duncan said. "Co-operation with our neighbours and a rigorous monitoring program in Saskatchewan are two of the most important ways we can all work together to ensure our water supplies stay safe now and into the future."

The province is nearing completion of a strategic monitoring plan for northern Saskatchewan watersheds, including the watershed of Lake Athabasca. Saskatchewan is also developing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Province of Alberta to share monitoring information on water and air quality.

The province has also developed the first long-term plan for water quality testing of Lake Diefenbaker, which supplies more than 50 per cent of the province's drinking water.

Source water protection plans have been completed for nine watersheds and two additional plans are being prepared. Completed plans guide work to protect surface and ground water supplies. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority provides financial and technical support to watershed planning and plan implementation. The Authority's, State of the Watershed Report, provides details on the health of provincial watersheds.

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is continuing work on a Water Availability Study. This will develop information on surface and ground water supplies needed to support sustainable water resource decisions.

The toilet replacement program, which began January 2009, has conserved approximately one billion litres of water to date. Rebates for the installation of water efficient toilets will be offered until December 31, 2012.

"The province is working hard to protect our water supplies, but we can't do it alone," Duncan said.