TWO MORE SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLANS COMPLETED

Two locally developed plans to protect and manage source water in the Assiniboine River watershed are now complete.

"The completion of the Assiniboine River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan and the Yorkton Area Aquifers 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. "To build a prosperous, green economy in Saskatchewan we need a healthy, sustainable environment. These source water protection plans will be foundation pieces in that building process."

The plans were developed by people living in the area through participation on local advisory committees, with technical assistance and support from the federal and provincial governments. Private sector partners, such as Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, also provided input.

"These plans will help guide the Authority as it makes decisions regarding water management and protection activities in the Assiniboine River watershed," Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby said while attending an appreciation lunch for advisory committee members at York Lake Regional Park on behalf of Minister Nilson. "Our thanks go to these concerned citizens for their efforts to ensure the sound management and protection of their source water through effective planning."

The Assiniboine River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan provides a detailed action plan to protect source water in the Assiniboine River watershed, an area which includes 24 rural municipalities, eight towns, 15 villages and the cities of Melville and Yorkton.

The Yorkton Area Aquifers Source Water Protection Plan focuses on protecting the source water found in the aquifers in and around Yorkton. In this area, groundwater is virtually the only reliable supply of water for drinking, as well as for agricultural, industrial and municipal needs.

These plans follow the completion of the Lower Souris River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan, released in April 2006, and the Moose Jaw River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan, which was released in June 2006. Progress is also being made on source water protection plans in the North Saskatchewan River, South Saskatchewan River and Upper Qu'Appelle River watersheds.

The development of source water protection plans is a priority of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, whose mandate is to manage and protect the quality and quantity of the province's water supplies.

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 Assiniboine River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan and the Yorkton Area Aquifers Source Water Protection Plan are available online at www.swa.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Brad Ashdown Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-2868

Rob Kirkness Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Yorkton Phone: (306) 786-1486