SECOND SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLAN COMPLETED

A locally developed plan to protect and manage source water in the Moose Jaw River watershed is now complete, making it the second such plan to be released in Saskatchewan.

The Moose Jaw River watershed includes 22 rural municipalities, two towns, 10 villages and the City of Moose Jaw.

"The completion of the Moose Jaw River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan is another significant achievement for Saskatchewan's Safe Drinking Water Strategy," Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority John Nilson said. "This plan has been developed by people living in this area through their participation on local advisory committees, with technical assistance and support from the federal and provincial governments and private sector partners such as Ducks Unlimited Canada. Our thanks go to these concerned citizens for their efforts to ensure the sound management and protection of their source water through effective planning."

"Every individual resident, organization and agency in Saskatchewan is and will be affected by the health of our watersheds. In the Moose Jaw River Watershed, we are all responsible to take measures to identify and address issues which help protect the watershed in which we live and work," Moose Jaw River Watershed Advisory Committee chair Karyn Mossing said. "We look forward to working with all of these stakeholders as we implement this important plan, which aims to improve economic and 'quality of life' returns."

This plan follows the completion of the Lower Souris River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan, which was released in April 2006. Meanwhile, progress is also being made on source water protection plans in the Assiniboine River, North Saskatchewan River, South Saskatchewan River and Upper Qu'Appelle River watersheds and the Yorkton-area aquifers.

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. This plan will help guide the Authority's decision-making regarding its water management and protection activities in the Moose Jaw River watershed.

A watershed refers to the geographical area where runoff flows to a particular water body. Aquifers are underground source waters. There are 29 watersheds and at least 10 major aquifers in Saskatchewan.

The Moose Jaw River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan is available online at www.swa.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

John Durbin Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-2875