Waterproof 3 – Canada’s Drinking Water Report Card

More than a decade after deadly gaps in drinking water management killed seven people in Walkerton, Ont., Ecojustice has released Waterproof 3, our third drinking water report card, which concludes that the federal government is still failing to ensure all Canadians have reliable access to safe, clean water.

The report gives the federal government another ‘F’ for lagging in almost every aspect of water protection for which it is responsible. Of greatest concern is the government’s reluctance to create rigorous national drinking water standards that protect all Canadians.

Waterproof 3 evaluates water policies, programs and legislation across the country and assigns the provincial, territorial and federal governments, a grade based on how well they’re protecting drinking water.

While the federal government received an ‘F’, provinces like Ontario (A) and Nova Scotia (A-) have been identified as leaders when it comes to drinking water protection – thanks in large part to strong treatment, testing and source water protection programs. In contrast, Alberta (C-) slipped in the rankings because of static treatment standards and poor source water protection efforts.

Visit the Ecojustice website to view the complete Report Card

3 page Summary of Waterproof 3 (Adobe PDF)

Full Report (Adobe PDF)

How to Get Out of a Sinking Car
by Amanda Everitt

There is so much water in the ditches. Talk to your kids about how to get out of a vehicle if you hit the ditch and the car/van/truck is sinking. Google “How to get out of a sinking car” ... lots of helpful hints and videos.

Regardless of how strong you are, your doors will not open until the car is submerged. Therefore your plan should be:

1. Undo everybody’s seat belt – oldest child first so they can help.
2. Open side window before you loose your power. Don’t forget some vehicles have a master auto lock for windows. Be ready ...as water will rush in!
3. If your window won’t open or will only open part way, break it with a sharp object or your heel.
4. Choose side windows, then back , the windshield is the most difficult, so not a good choice.
5. Swim out window quickly to surface. If possible give small kids something to hang onto that floats (ie soccer ball etc.)
6. There is always a chance your vehicle may flip, depending on the depth of the water and vehicle weight. So always, undo everybody’s SB, smash side window and get out ASAP. Don’t waste time trying to phone for help until you are on the surface.

Stay safe!

Thanks to Strasbourg Ambulance for forwarding this. See this post in context at Saskatoon Health Region First Responders

Safe Drinking Water Policy for Canada
Turning Hindsight into Foresight

The Walkerton and North Battleford drinking water outbreaks in 2000 and 2001 highlighted major inadequacies in Canada’s drinking water system. Yet roughly 10 years later, notwithstanding the major improvements in a system that was demonstrably inadequate before, much of Canada remains out of step with the international leaders in adopting management systems for assuring safe drinking water...

You can download the complete article below...

C.D. Howe Institute Commentary (Adobe PDF)

Labour Market Profile
Water and Wastewater Workers

This report summarizes research conducted for the Saskatchewan Water and Wastewater Association by Doug Elliott, the principal of QED Information Systems Inc., a Regina-based consulting firm...

You can download the complete article below...

Labour Market Profile (Adobe PDF)