I rise today to advise my honourable colleagues that Drinking Water Week is May 6 - 12, and the theme this year is Only Tap Water Delivers. During this week, I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reflect on the fact that we are all responsible for protecting our drinking water supplies.

Mr. Speaker, water plays a vital role in our daily lives. This government is fully aware of the importance of protecting our water supplies to ensure clean and safe drinking water. While my department works closely with other government departments and municipalities to protect our water supplies, it is imperative that we all do our part to preserve this natural resource.

Approximately forty percent of the world�s population presently faces water shortages however this province is fortunate to have an abundant supply and we must act in ways to preserve this precious resource for future generations. Drinking Water Week is an opportunity to promote public awareness and encourage everyone to be more conscious of how we use water.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to mention a few of the ongoing activities undertaken by my department to provide safe drinking water to the people of our province.

We continue to sample tap and source water and test them for chemical and physical parameters and report the results to municipalities and the public; we are continuing to protect new water sources especially in the area of groundwater supplies; we held a drinking water safety conference in Gander in March, and the theme was Emergency Preparedness, Planning and Preparation; we continue to provide operator training and certification programs; we issue permits to construct all new water distribution and treatment facilities as well as upgrades to existing systems; we have undertaken numerous website enhancements including a list of accredited labs, chlorination equipment selection guidelines and list of protected water supply areas; and we have developed geographic information system (GIS) based tools for the management of data related to drinking water safety.

Mr. Speaker, as you can see my department is working hard with municipalities and stakeholders to protect our water supplies. A safe, reliable water supply is critical to any community and provides for the health and welfare of its residents. Drinking Water Week reminds us all of the need for safe, clean and reliable sources of drinking water. A healthy future depends on a safe and reliable water supply.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2007 05 08                                                   1:50 p.m.