NEWS RELEASE

NATIONAL WATER ORGANIZATION RESPONDS TO FEDERAL WATER AVAILABILTY ASSESSMENT

CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO — The federal science assessment released today is a welcomed piece of vital information about the state of Canada’s water supply, says Canada’s broadest-based non-government organization dealing with water.  The assessment outlines risks to water availability in Canada.  From coast to coast, Canadians should be concerned about our freshwater supplies.

The Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) is a not-for-profit volunteer organization of water resource professionals from the private, public and academic sectors. Its goal is to promote effective water management.

“Although we haven’t had the opportunity to examine the report’s contents in detail, we know that this assessment of the state of our knowledge about the availability of water in Canada is greatly needed,” said CWRA National President Valerie Cameron.  “As a society, Canadians take water for granted.  We assume that water is plentiful and that we will have unlimited access to it.  The CWRA believes that the “Threats to Water Availability in Canada” report will alert Canadians to the need to more fully understand our water supplies if these limited supplies are to be managed for the future.”

“Our members need the science and data considered in this assessment to advise all orders of government and industry about the importance of water.  We are concerned that information gaps and a poor understanding about water availability increase the risks of water shortages for all Canadians.  The effects of changing climate, added to a growing demand on water supplies due to population growth, urbanization, and agricultural and industrial development, are increasing pressures on Canada’s water supplies.  Addressing these threats requires a better understanding of precipitation, streamflow, and surface and groundwater storage.” 

The CWRA believes that knowledge, information exchange, and monitoring provide the foundation for effective management of the water resource.  Comprehensive hydrometric and climate networks are essential building blocks.  If these networks are inadequate, it becomes difficult for water managers to make effective management decisions.

The CWRA is willing to work with the federal government to address issues identified in the report.  The “Threats to Water Availability in Canada” assessment will be discussed during a special session at the CWRA’s national conference in Montreal, June 15-18, 2004.  The theme of the conference is “Water and Climate Change. Knowledge for Better Adaptation”.

Media Contact:
John Lilley
Executive Director
Canadian Water Resources Association
(780) 464-5238

Visit the CWRA’s Web site at www.cwra.org for online information and services.

• March 22, 2004