Environment and Conservation
Municipal Affairs
March 17, 2016

Supporting Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water

Provincial Government Releases Study on Well Head Protection Areas

Rural communities and small municipalities have a new tool to help them ensure the safety of their water supplies, with the release of a study commissioned by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The study, Well Head Protection Area Delineation for Small Municipal Groundwater Supplies, defines the areas around municipal drinking water wells that feed the water supplies of more than 100 communities.

�Giving communities the tools to protect their water supplies is an important step toward ensuring clean and safe drinking water is available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. This study contains vital information to help communities understand how water arrives at their water supply, so they can create a plan to protect it. It will help inform the development of a water quality action plan to ensure our province�s water systems are safe and sustainable.�
- The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation

Well Head Protection Areas can be used by municipalities to establish a Well Head Protection Plan, which provides guidelines for monitoring and regulation of land uses near the well field.

The study is based on a mathematical model recommended across North America by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and includes maps that show the size and position of each Well Head Protection Area.

�The Department of Municipal Affairs supports the Department of Environment and Conversation in encouraging communities to protect their well head areas. It is more cost effective to protect these areas than to replace water systems if the water becomes contaminated. We look forward to working with the Department of Environment and Conservation on the development of a province-wide water quality action plan to address quality, infrastructure, expertise and technology to ensure our water systems are safe and sustainable.�
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs

The information in the study was gathered from well operators, provincial mapping, the Provincial Government�s Drilled Well Database, and pumping tests.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is releasing a study that provides guidelines for establishing Well Head Protection Areas.
• The information in the study can be used to develop Well Head Protection Plans that monitor and regulate land uses near a well field.
• The study is available at www.gov.nl.ca/env.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

Emily Timmins Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca

Heather May Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2016 03 17                             11:25 a.m.