Released on November 6, 2006
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: 306-787-6137 |