SASKATCHEWAN TO CONSULT ON WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

The government of Saskatchewan will be consulting citizens and stakeholders to help develop a plan for water conservation in the province. In addition to five public meetings in Regina, Swift Current, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and La Ronge, citizens will be able to respond by mail or online.

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.

"As Saskatchewan enters its second century, our spirit and tradition of innovation will help us to assemble a "made in Saskatchewan" water conservation plan – a Saskatchewan plan for Saskatchewan's needs and Saskatchewan's people," Forbes said. "It is our hope that this document and this process will spark a deeper reflection about how we use our water resources in Saskatchewan."

"While Saskatchewan has large supplies of water in the North, the majority of citizens and industry are in the South," Prebble said. "Forty-five percent of the Saskatchewan population depends on water from Lake Diefenbaker in the Saskatchewan River system. Over the last century, records indicate that flows in this system have declined due to increased withdrawals and changes in our environment, yet our demand for our water has continued to increase. The public consultations we are announcing today will give the people of Saskatchewan input into developing policies that will ensure best use and the most efficient use of our water and the long term protection of our water supplies."

There will be five public meetings:

- 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

A final water conservation plan for Saskatchewan, incorporating public input from the consultation, will be prepared for the end of 2005.

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

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For More Information, Contact:

Dale Hjertaas Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Regina Phone: (306) 787-2892 Cell: (306) 529-8215