As honourable members will recall, yesterday the premier announced that a committee of ministers would examine potential concerns surrounding our province�s drinking water. As chair of that committee, I rise today to table information relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador�s drinking water supplies.

The Department of Environment monitors approximately 30 chemical and physical parameters, including Trihalomethanes (THMs), in our public water supplies. Communities are notified of the test results and the data is regularly updated on the department�s web site at www.gov.nl.ca/env. This data is publically available, and today, I am tabling the most recent results of the chemical and physical monitoring.

In addition to the chemical and physical monitoring done by my department, routine bacteriological testing is conducted by the Department of Government Services and Lands. While the test results are currently not in a format which can be tabled in this House, I have asked officials to prepare the data for public release. However, today I am tabling a list of the boil water advisories currently in effect in the province, including the date and reason why each advisory was issued.

I also want to update honourable members and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador on some of government�s other initiatives with respect to drinking water safety. Last year, my department hired a drinking water quality engineer to work solely with municipalities on THMs and other drinking water quality issues. To date, he has met with over 35 communities to provide information, analysis, advice and training relevant to each community, and he is continuing to meet with as many communities as possible.

In addition, my department is working with the departments of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, Health and Community Services and Government Services and Lands to develop a complete safe drinking water plan for the province. In the coming months, we will be addressing the sampling, training and infrastructure needs of this plan.

Government is committed to ensuring that the residents of our province have continued access to safe drinking water. As Minister of Environment, it is my top priority to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the drinking water in Newfoundland and Labrador remains clean and safe.

2001 05 08                                                    3:10 p.m.