This drinking water safety report outlines accomplishments and activities for 2002 – 2003 under the Multi-Barrier Strategic Action Plan (MBSAP) for drinking water safety in Newfoundland/Labrador.
The report says that substantial progress has been made in the implementation of the MBSAP for drinking water safety over the past year. Some of the highlights include:
- The designation of 12 new protected water supply areas.
- Digitization of public water supply areas.
- Investment of over $120.41 million on various water and sewer related projects to date.
- Continued routine monitoring of drinking water quality for all public water supply systems.
- Provision of quarterly and annual water quality reports to all communities.
- Improved reporting of drinking water quality data.
- A reduction in the number of boil water advisories.
- Resolution of drinking water quality issues (pH, colour, turbidity, arsenic, fluoride, lead and trihalomethanes) in a number of communities.
- Improvements in regulatory approval and inspection systems.
- Development of an arsenic risk map of the island portion of the province.
- Delivery of operator education and training through classroom sessions and hands-on training sessions.
During the 2002 – 2003 fiscal year, the Newfoundland and Labrador government allocated $1.5 million for drinking water initiatives. In addition, $55.8 million was spent on capital infrastructure.
The Department of Environment spent $530,000 to implement phase two of its community based operator education and training program and to support the drinking water quality monitoring program. In addition to capital infrastructure funding, the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs also hired three Community Water and Wastewater Specialists.
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The department also provided financial assistance to communities attending the training, workshop and certification courses relating to drinking water safety. The Department of Government Services and Lands hired seven Environmental Health Officers in 2002 – 2003. The Department of Health and Community Services spent nearly $500,000 to increase the capacity of the Newfoundland Public Health Laboratory, to hire an Environmental Health Specialist and to provide funding for the Health Labrador and Grenfell Regional Health Services to hire a shared Environmental Health Coordinator.
The Drinking Water Safety Technical Working Group met on a regular basis throughout the year to deal with drinking water issues and outline the proposed path forward.