RURAL WATER QUALITY PROGRAM LAUNCHED

Released on November 12, 1997

Sask Water Minister Maynard Sonntag today announced a new initiative

designed to assist rural water users coping with water quality

problems.



Under the Rural Water Quality Advisory Program, a Sask Water

technician will sample a client's raw water, have it analysed by a

certified laboratory, explain the results of the analysis and provide

guidelines to help the client select the treatment process most

suitable to the specific water quality problems identified. Sask

Water technicians will also inspect the plumbing system and offer

recommendations on how to improve or protect the quality of water in a

property owner's well, dugout or reservoir.



"The Rural Water Quality Advisory Program was conceived to address the

problems faced by many Saskatchewan people who live outside urban

centres," Sonntag said. "Good water contributes to good health and

making this service available to a variety of small-system water

consumers is without a doubt a healthy initiative.



"Improving water by properly managing and protecting a water supply

and using the right treatment process can help improve the quality of

life for many Saskatchewan people."



The Rural Water Quality Advisory Program is available to farmers,

ranchers, acreage owners, northern operators and trailer park

residents. Villages and hamlets serviced by individual water

systems also qualify for assistance. Program users will be

charged a fee of $100.



A brochure outlining the program is available at Sask Water

offices in Swift Current, Weyburn, Yorkton, Nipawin, North

Battleford, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. It will also be available

at Sask Water booths at the Yorkton Harvest Showdown, Mexibition

in Saskatoon and the Regina Agribition.



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For more information, contact:



Dr. Joanne Sketchell

Sask Water

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 933-8250