The annual Drinking Water Safety in Newfoundland and Labrador report for 2008 was released today at the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop taking place in Gander. The report outlines the accomplishments and activities for 2007-08 and highlights the province�s 319 designated protected water supply areas, 146 on-site training sessions provided by the department�s mobile training units, and the approximately 19,000 bacteriological samples that were collected and analyzed.

"Drinking water quality continues to be a priority of our government, and the results of the 2008 Drinking Water Safety report speak to the positive measures we are implementing and the positive results we are experiencing," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "We are the only province to directly undertake drinking water quality monitoring of all of our public water supplies, and I am pleased to release a report that provides the public with comprehensive information about all aspects of drinking water safety."

During 2007-08, more than 2,400 drinking water samples (chemical) were collected in the province, and an additional three water supplies were designated as Protected Public Water Supply Areas. This designation ensures all activities within the protected areas are controlled using a permitting process, and high-risk activities that could impair water quality are restricted. Furthermore, as of April 2008, 91 per cent of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador who use public water receive it from a protected source.

Minister Johnson said the release of the drinking water quality report is timely in terms of the recent celebration of World Water Day. "The release of our report coincides nicely with World Water Day, which is held annually on March 22, as a means of focusing attention on the importance of water and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources," said Minister Johnson. "This report reflects our sustainable water management efforts in the province and shows our continued commitment to this valuable resource."

The minister also presented the Operator of the Year Award and the Volunteer Operator of the Year Award at the workshop and conference. The recipient of the 2009 Volunteer Operator of the Year Award is Gerard Lee from the Local Service District (LSD) of Barachois Brook. Wayne Bennett, the Regional Operator for the towns of St. Paul�s, Parson�s Pond and Daniel�s Harbour, was presented with the 2009 Operator of the Year Award.

"Both awards were designed to recognize the outstanding dedication of the many water systems operators in the province who provide us with clean and safe drinking water," said Minister Johnson. "They demonstrate ingenuity, proficiency, dedication, and professionalism on a daily basis. We received 39 very deserving nominations and were overwhelmed with the response and the letters of praise submitted by these communities."

The eighth annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop is taking place in Gander from March 24-26. It brings together operators from every region in Newfoundland and Labrador and provides a forum for the sharing of best practices and educational sessions on water systems operations. The theme of this year�s workshop is Rural Reactions and Remedies.

The Drinking Water Safety in Newfoundland and Labrador report for 2008 is available at www.gov.nl.ca/Env/env/waterres/Reports/Reports.asp

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Media contact:

Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca