Released on October 15, 2012
Today, the Government of Saskatchewan is releasing their 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan, fulfilling a commitment made during the 2011 election. For the first time, all of government's core water management responsibilities and technical expertise will come together to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach to water management.
"Our government is responding to stakeholders who strongly identified the need for a long-term and comprehensive water strategy," Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency Ken Cheveldayoff said. "We are excited to create a strong new agency to oversee this vision of a key provincial resource as we move forward and address the opportunities as well as the challenges of growth. We want to ensure there is a sustainable water supply available to support our growth, a healthy environment and our quality of life."
The plan will ensure the sustainability and quality of Saskatchewan's surface and ground water supplies while protecting drinking water supplies from the source to the tap. The plan outlines seven goals: Sustainable Supplies, Drinking Water Safety, Protection of Water Resources, Safe and Sustainable Dams, Flood and Drought Damage Reduction, Adequate Data, Information and Knowledge and Effective Governance and Engagement.
"The new Water Security Agency will not only see the strategy implemented province-wide, but it will improve service to individuals, businesses and communities," Cheveldayoff said. "Providing a single point of contact with government to address water issues was a message we heard loud and clear through our stakeholder consultations."
"We participated in consultations and are pleased to see the development of the Water Security Plan and creation of the Water Security Agency," Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President David Marit said. "Our Board believes management of water and water-related issues should be in one agency and expects that the proposed structure will improve service."
The Water Security Agency will report annually on implementation of the Water Security Plan. To find out more about the 25 Year Water Security Plan and the Water Security Agency, visit www.wsask.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: Patrick.Boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997