SECOND REPORT ON DRINKING WATER RELEASED

An examination of Saskatchewan's drinking water shows significant improvements over the same time last year.

The 2003-04 Annual Report on the State of Drinking Water Quality in Saskatchewan and the Safe Drinking Water Strategy is designed to inform Saskatchewan people of the status of drinking water quality, waterworks infrastructure, source water protection, and other water related items.

"The steady progress made in dealing with many water quality issues is good for all the people of Saskatchewan," Environment Minister and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority David Forbes said. "We will continue to work hard to ensure safe, clean drinking water and to build public confidence in the handling of the province's water."

Among other things, the report outlines that:

- drinking water quality results from communities have shown significant improvement;

- development of source water protection plans was initiated for six watersheds;

- the SaskH2O website went on line last year to provide community specific up-to-date drinking water quality information;

- two additional laboratories received accreditation by the Standards Council
of Canada for analysis's of drinking water samples, which means there are now four accredited laboratories in Saskatchewan;

- $13.5 million of federal and provincial Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program (CSIP) funding was spent on 33 water and wastewater projects approved in 2003-04 and on 45 multi-year projects approved in prior years;

- there are now 582 certified operators at waterworks regulated by Saskatchewan Environment;

- SaskWater managed 26 water and sewer construction projects worth $5.8 million in 20 northern communities and provided technical assistance and training for 100 operators on 60 First Nations and in four northern communities; and

- based on a May 2003 omnibus poll 87 per cent of the people polled strongly or moderately agree they have confidence in the safety of their own drinking water.

This is the second annual report produced by Saskatchewan Environment in co-operation with other government departments and agencies involved in water.

The report can be found at http://www.saskh20.ca/ under News.

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For More Information, Contact:

Len Sinclair Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306)953-2296 Cell: (306)961-9434

Dr. Terry Hanley Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Regina Phone: (306)787-9982