WATER CONSULTATIONS BEGIN -- MEETINGS ADDED TO SCHEDULE

The first public meeting for the water conservation consultation process gets underway tonight in Regina.

Recognizing growing interest by the public, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will hold two additional public meetings in North Battleford and Yorkton. The consultations will give citizens and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input into the development of a comprehensive water conservation plan for Saskatchewan.

Recently, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Minister David Forbes and SaskWater Minister Peter Prebble released a discussion paper for public consultation, Conserving Our Water – A Water Conservation Plan for Saskatchewan. In addition to the public meetings, individuals and groups are invited to provide written submissions either by mail or online at www.swa.ca/waterconservation.

"What we hear from the public will help us assemble a made-in-Saskatchewan water conservation plan – a Saskatchewan plan for Saskatchewan's needs and Saskatchewan's people," Forbes said. "The consultations will guide our future policies to ensure the best and most efficient use of our water."

A total of seven meetings will now be held as follows:

- Regina – 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 31st – Travelodge, 4177 Albert Street

- Swift Current – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 3rd – Days Inn, Highway #1 East

- Saskatoon – 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 7th – Travelodge, 106 Circle Drive West

- Prince Albert – 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 8th – Travelodge, 3551 2nd Avenue West

- LaRonge – 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10th – LaRonge Motor Hotel, 1120 LaRonge Avenue

- Yorkton – 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 18th – St. Mary's Cultural Centre, 240 Wellington

- North Battleford – 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 21st – Library Lecture theatre, 1392 101st Street.

"Saskatchewan is blessed with an abundant supply of fresh water – almost seven per cent of the fresh water in Canada," Prebble said. "We use our water for human consumption, but also use it to support agriculture, industry, recreation and the environment. More of our water is in northern Saskatchewan, but the greatest demand is in the South. We have a profound moral responsibility to ensure that we are effective stewards of this precious resource."

Conserving Our Water is available online at www.swa.ca/waterconservation or by contacting the Provincial Water Inquiry Line (1-866-SASK-H20).

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For More Information, Contact:

Malcolm French Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Moose Jaw Phone: (306) 694-3017 Cell: (306) 535-3836