SASKATCHEWAN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN RELEASED

[Oscar]

SASKATCHEWAN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN RELEASED

http://www.gov.sk.ca/newsrel/releases/2 ... 6-786.html

Legislative Building - Regina, Canada S4S 0B3 - (306) 787-6281
News Release November 6, 2006
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority - 786

Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority John Nilson released the Saskatchewan Water Conservation Plan in the Legislative Assembly today.

"Saskatchewan is fortunate to have an abundance of natural resources, including water. Careful management, efficient use, and strong stewardship of our water resources are required so that we will have a safe and secure water supply for the long-term health and prosperity of Saskatchewan and its citizens," Nilson said.

"Water conservation does not mean that we must go without water. It means being aware of how much water we use, and using it efficiently so that there will always be enough to support our communities, industries and agriculture," Minister responsible for SaskWater David Forbes said. "Doing so will ensure we maintain a good quality of life for Saskatchewan families and build a sustainable future for our young people."

Almost seven per cent of the freshwater in Canada, or nearly 1.5 per cent of all the freshwater in the world, is found in Saskatchewan. However, the availability and quality of water is not uniform across the province.

Moreover, climate change will place additional pressures on our water supplies in the years ahead.

Although Saskatchewan residents use slightly less water for domestic purposes than the national average, Canadians are the second highest users of water in the world. There are also opportunities to improve our use of water in the agricultural and industrial sectors, while at the same time retaining our competitiveness.

Saskatchewan's Water Conservation Plan is a significant step toward a green and prosperous economy, and will ensure greater attention is paid to water conservation as a social, environmental and economic driver. The plan emphasizes government leading by example, partnering with communities, agriculture and industry and public education.

The plan was developed in consultation with various stakeholders across the province. Over 300 people attended eight public consultation meetings and 60 written submissions were received. Further input came from 21 meetings with industry and environmental stakeholders.

Saskatchewan's Water Conservation Plan is available online at www.swa.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Gord Will
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6173

[Oscar]

Conservation? Efficient Use? Sustainable future??


-----Original Message-----

From: Elaine Hughes

Sent: November 6, 2006 5:31 PM
To: Forbes,D. Min. Water; Nilson,J. Min.Env.

Cc: Safe Drinking Water Foundation; Sask Environmental Society; Sask Eco Network; Nature Sask

Subject: WATER: SASKATCHEWAN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN RELEASED

Just a thought: Saskatchewan's Crown Corporation, Big Sky Farms, Inc. will, by spring 2007, have 47,000 sows, and, according to Big Sky's brochure, each 5,000-sow operation uses between 50-55 million gallons of water (unmetered) per year.... some for the animals to drink but most of it to flush the manure out of the barns and into the holding tanks beneath the slatted floors.

And, that's only one hog operation! Stomp Pork Farms has 27,000 sows and we can only assume that the water usage would be similar to Big Sky's.

There are also hundreds of smaller hog operations in Saskatchewan.....

Plus, Canora's Mayor is talking about getting the big beverage companies interested in buying some of that town's famously good water.

Conservation? Efficient use? Sustainable future??

Elaine Hughes
Archerwill, SK

[Oscar]

November 7, 2006

For your consideration,

Saskatchewan and the rest of the provinces need to seriously consider not only the metering of water, but the charging of rates based on proportional use.

This would show a more accurate picture of the economic cost/value of water, and would force industries and indiviudals to use less water.

Imagine the difference in usage if water were not billed at a flat rate per litre, but using a proportional system, whereby if you use 10% more than
the average user, you pay 10% more PER LITRE than the average user. Factor those costs into your large scale industrial uses, and all of sudden factory farming isn't so efficient, and neither are tar sands operations.

But water is a real cost, and SHOULD be factored in. I imagine it would change what people are willing to pay for bottled water, too, since the cost of bottled water would also become exhorbitant.

We already know that smaller scale, organic farming uses less water, and is less polluting in its operational effluent runoff. It's kinder to the earth in general, and where the trend should be heading.

We already have the technology and best use practices to reverse the trend of water wastage and groundwater pollution.

Do we have the political will? THAT is the question.

Sincerely,
Bill Prouten
Alberta