PROVINCE STILL RECEIVING REQUESTS FOR FLOOD MITIGATION FUNDING

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority reports that requests for assistance under the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program are still being received, although in some areas of Saskatchewan the worst of the flooding is over.

Since the damage mitigation program was announced February 22, the Watershed Authority has received more than 800 requests for help under the program.

"I am relieved that in many areas of the province the risk of flooding has decreased substantially in the past week," Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Dustin Duncan said. "There are still areas of concern, however, and we will continue to offer assistance under the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program until the dangers caused by spring runoff and hazardous weather conditions have passed."

The emergency program provides municipalities, institutions and individuals with engineering and financial support to enact a variety of flood protection measures, including construction of berms and diversion works, clearing snow and ice from channels and culverts to improve channel conveyance and sandbagging.

Also under the program, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is offering free testing of private wells and cisterns used as sources of drinking water that have been potentially impacted by flooding across the province. To date, the Watershed Authority is testing 60 private drinking water wells. The Authority will also be testing wells on First Nation lands that are impacted by flooding. Currently, 90 drinking water wells on the Cowessess First Nation are being tested.

People who think their private drinking water well may have been contaminated can call the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority at 1-866-837-8420 (1-866-TEST H20) to find out if they are eligible for no-cost testing. The free testing will be available until June 1, 2011.

Further details about the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program, up to date flood forecasts, free well testing, and important safety information are available at the provincial flood website www.saskflood.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Doug Johnson
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3959