Water-quality improvement projects and the development of locally-driven watershed management plans are being supported with more than $330,000 in provincial funds, Manitoba Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced Friday.The support includes a new round of Water Stewardship Fund grants with $213,280 going toward 11 projects and $125,000 to four conservation districts.

“We are funding a number of water protection and awareness activities in Manitoba that help preserve our rich water resources,” said Melnick. “In addition, managing watersheds more effectively to better maintain water quality requires strong partnerships and we have found excellent partners in the existing conservation districts.”

The projects supported through the Water Stewardship Fund grants address the priorities of watershed management, planning and implementation, water-related research, education, water conservation and stewardship, and economic development. Some of these projects include:

  • $25,000 to the Manitoba Eco-Network to fund activities and development, and distribution of educational materials and hosting workshops related to water;
  • $25,000 to support a water conservation program in the Town of Swan River;
  • V$23,000 to the Village of Dunnottar to study technologies to improve the quality of waste-water lagoon effluent as part of an existing waste-water lagoon treatment system;
  • $10,650 to the La Salle Redboine Conservation District to address recommendations of the Stephenfield Lake Watershed Management Plan which will improve water quality in the lake which serves 10,000 residents. 

The province completed new memorandums of understanding with four conservation districts to be designated as water planning authorities for five watersheds. Last year, these conservation districts received a total of approximately $1 million in programming support. New funding for planning stage work includes:

  • $50,000 to the Pembina Valley Conservation District as designated water planning authority for two Pembina River watersheds;
  • $25,000 to the East Interlake Conservation District as designated water planning authority for the lower Interlake watershed;
  • $25,000 to the Intermountain Conservation District as designated water planning authority for the east Duck Mountain/Sagemace Bay watershed;
  • $25,000 to the West Souris River Conservation District as designated water planning authority for the west Souris River watershed.

The planning work includes gathering information on the watershed’s resources and public consultation with local stakeholders on watershed issues. Plans are to be submitted for provincial approval.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your name here
Please enter your comment!