The province has released its first comprehensive water strategy in nearly 20 years.
“Our growing communities, vibrant agriculture sector and expanding industries all depend on continued access to water,” said Premier Heather Stefanson in a Nov. 8 news release.
“At the same time, climate change and extreme weather, such as floods and droughts, have a significant impact on water availability and security.”
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The strategy provides a framework to “conserve and protect the environment, enhance resiliency, improve water quality and availability and foster economic development opportunities,” the news release said.
Work on the strategy began in May 2021 and included consultation with an expert advisory council, the public through the EngageMB website, and with Indigenous leaders.
All groups recognized water security as both a challenge and a competitive opportunity for communities and industry, the news release said.
In the past two years, areas of Manitoba have swung between extreme drought and flooding. For example, in September 2021, the water co-operative serving Morden, Winkler, Altona and other south-central communities told the Co-operator it was struggling to keep the taps on because of low water levels in the Red River.
In the following spring, the swelling river turned towns like Morris into islands.
The new water strategy goals include:
- maximizing water resources through conservation and efficient water use
- protecting biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem health
- building Manitoba’s preparedness and resilience to a variable and changing climate
- protecting the quality and quantity of groundwater
- improving co-ordination of water management and governance across watersheds, basins and aquifers
- improving data information and knowledge available about water
“In a changing climate, sustainable water management and smart water investments will be a strong part of Manitoba’s competitive advantage in agriculture, industry and future growth sectors,” said Ray Bouchard, co-chair of EMILI’s Integrated Water Strategy Committee, in the news release.
