NEW ORGANIZATION TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY IN THE UPPER QU’APPELLE RIVER AND WASCANA CREEK WATERSHEDS

Released on June 10, 2008

A new organization has been established in the Upper Qu'Appelle River and Wascana Creek watersheds which will co-ordinate and manage activities to protect water quality and quantity in these watersheds.

The organization, Wascana and Upper Qu'Appelle Watersheds Association Taking Responsibility, Inc. (WUQWATR) began as part of watershed and aquifer planning, a process facilitated by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. Implementing the actions contained in the Upper Qu'Appelle River and Wascana Creek Watersheds Source Water Protection Plan is the organization's main task.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority president, Alan Parkinson, on behalf of Minister Nancy Heppner, and WUQWATR chair Fred Clipsham signed a funding agreement today that officially begins the implementation of the Upper Qu'Appelle River and Wascana Creek Watersheds Source Water Protection Plan. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is providing $50,000 to assist them with the implementation.

"This plan was developed by people living in the watersheds, with assistance from the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and numerous partners," Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Nancy Heppner said. "Residents in these watersheds should be proud of this significant achievement. Their dedication and hard work will help ensure the protection and sound management of source water for all residents of the Upper Qu'Appelle River and Wascana Creek watersheds."

"Protecting the water resources in these watersheds is vital to all of us," Clipsham said. "Many people with a broad range of interests in water came together to create this plan with that goal in mind. Now, we will work on the 82 actions and recommendations in this plan and look forward to working with people across the watersheds to ensure residents have access to high quality water for drinking, farming and recreation."

WUQWATR also held a ribbon-cutting to open their office in the Wascana Centre Authority building in Regina.

The development of source water protection plans is a priority of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, which has a mandate to manage and protect the quality and quantity of the province's water supplies.

The Upper Qu'Appelle River and Wascana Creek Watersheds Source Water Protection Plan is available online at www.swa.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Duane Haave
Wascana and Upper Qu'Appelle Watersheds
Regina
Phone: 306-757-1704

Sharon Rodenbush
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0913

Fred Clipsham
WUQWATR Chair
Regina
Phone: 306-757-8212