World Water Day

I rise today to inform honourable members, and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, that tomorrow, March 22 is World Water Day. The United Nations adopted a resolution in 1993 to declare this date as World Water Day as a way to advocate and promote awareness about the importance and value of clean and safe water for the environment and for public health.

The theme for this year�s Water Day is "Water and Health". Water and health are inter-twined in many ways and it is important to address the increasing need for clean and safe water to protect both human health and the environment. World Water Day focuses attention on the need to address the problems related to drinking water supply and increases awareness about the importance of conservation, preservation, and protection of water resources and drinking water supply.

To improve the quality of our drinking water and to provide education and training to the operators of water supply systems, the Water Resources Management Division of my department is hosting a workshop in Gander on March 26 and 27.

The theme of this workshop is "Clean and Safe Drinking Water". Drinking water experts from across the country have been invited to speak at the workshop, and early registration indicates that we will have a very high level of participation.

My department is working hard with municipalities and other stakeholders to protect our water supplies. I want to acknowledge the efforts and cooperation that municipalities extend to my department in protecting and improving the quality of our province�s drinking water. I ask that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians reflect on the fact that the responsibility of protecting our drinking water supplies is a responsibility borne by all.

All living things depend on water. Without water there would be no rivers, lakes, forests, fish, wilderness, wildlife, plants, or people. All of us need clean water to survive, and it is important to work together to protect and conserve this precious gift of the nature.

2001 03 21                                     2:00 p.m.