TOWN OF GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD

Water Conservation

Program

“ON TAP”

During 2011, the Town will provide information on water quality and water quantity issues which were identified in the Town’s Municipal Plan review.

Our 2004 Water Study proposed options for future water services but our initial step is to work together to keep our drinking water safe.

The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield has made an application to the Environmental Trust Fund to help provide an awareness program to our community, promoting the need to preserve water resources and to educate us about caring for our wells and promote our family’s health. The Provincial Government is responsible for all wells drilled in the Province. The Province regulates well drillers and has a program of well registration and testing. It is up to us as a community however, to safeguard our water resources; to conserve the use of water and to plan for a future where we all can be assured of safe drinking water. We all rely on private wells. We all need to do our part in protecting the water aquifers and using those resources wisely.

The “ON TAP” program to be undertaken throughout the year will provide the following:

• information on impacts of Climate Change

• encourage watershed and well-field stewardship

• information on safe, reliable drinking water

• information on conserving the use of the water

• consult the public on current groundwater concerns

• conduct a Water Quality Questionnaire

• conduct a Residential Water Audit

• catalogue a well inventory for future water analysis

Canadians currently consume 339 litres (75 imperial gallons) of water per person per day, almost double that of Europeans (from CMHC Bulletin). Even though we draw from wells rather than a public water system, it is important that we embrace conservation practices through a range of activities and the use of water efficient technologies.

Continuing updates will be provided in the mail and on the Town Web Site as the year progresses.