For Immediate Release
Over one million dollars has been given by the provincial government towards local efforts on source protection of drinking water supplies.
Saugeen Conservation, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority and Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula are partnering on this important water project. The initial phase of the project focuses
on the technical aspects, such as collecting water-related data and mapping the resources. It will also provide the support needed to develop water budgets to measure the amount of water that is
available and how water moves above and below the ground in the watershed.
“This funding will help us build on the work we’ve been doing locally to learn more about source water in our watershed and protect our sources of drinking water” said Doug Freiburger,
Chair of Saugeen Conservation, the lead agency in the local source water protection partnership. “Our project received $682,000 last year.”
The province has committed $16.5 million to Conservation Authorities for source protection planning up to June 2006. The government has also announced a total of $51 million to be
provided over five years for municipalities to undertake technical studies. These studies will ensure that municipalities have the scientific information they need to support their source water
protection efforts. Details of this funding will be posted in December on the Ontario Ministry of the Environment web site, www.ene.gov.on.ca.
“It is important to have the participation of many organizations, groups and individuals in our community since we can all be affected by poor water quality,” stated Mac Mercer, Project
Manager. “We’ve seen the devastation a polluted drinking water supply can have in Walkerton and other Ontario communities. This funding will help us work together to come up with a
shared vision of how to better protect our water sources.”
In source protection planning, Conservation Authorities play an important facilitating and coordinating role. Conservation Authorities have a long history of working to protect lakes,
rivers, streams and groundwater through science-based programs and services.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Ellingwood, Communications Specialist, Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Protection Region, at (519) 376-3076 x. 246 or e-mail d.ellingwood@greysauble.on.ca
Jim Coffey, General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, Saugeen Conservation at 519-364-1255 or e-mail j.coffey@svca.on.ca