World Water Day Highlights Importance of Resource

With an aim to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals around the globe to actively engage in addressing the challenges of urban water management, March 22 is designated as World Water Day 2011. This year’s theme is Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge.

“In every part of Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed the world, people understand the significant role water plays in our cities, towns and communities,” said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “As an essential element for life, it is important that we do our part to manage this resource and implement the necessary measures to ensure its safety and sustainability for our residents.”

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of fresh water. For 2011, the objective of World Water Day is to focus attention on the impacts of urban population growth, industrialization and the effects of climate change and natural disasters on urban water systems.

“Recent weather events throughout the world and, certainly the devastation to community infrastructure in our own province this past fall as a result of hurricane Igor, reiterate the focus that needs to be maintained on the sustainability of our communities, with fresh, clean water being an important factor in the equation,” said Minister Wiseman. “Newfoundland and Labrador has been recognized in many ways for our innovative approach to managing our water resources. World Water Day is a time to celebrate these accomplishments.”

World Water Day is held annually on March 22 as a means of bringing attention to the importance of fresh water in the world while advocating for the sustainable management of fresh water resources. The designation grew out of the recommendation at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, whereby the United Nations General Assembly responded by designating March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day.

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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 

2011 03 22             10:10 a.m.