Safe drinking water is important to everyone. Local governments, First Nations, health authorities, federal and provincial government agencies, and the public are all involved in ensuring the availability of safe drinking water.

Protecting water sources is an important part of maintaining safe drinking water.

Water Use for Rural Domestic and Community Water Supply

• Approximately 28% of all licensed surface water in the Northeast is allocated for rural domestic and community water supply.
• Water use for drinking and sanitation purposes accounts for about 15 million cubic metres annually.
• Most communities draw their water supply from rivers or groundwater sources. For example, the City of Dawson Creek has a licence to use 3.3 million cubic metres of water annually from the Kiskatinaw River. The City of Fort St. John's water system, however, consists of five shallow wells that draw water from about eight metres under the Peace River.
• Smaller communities are served by their own water wells.

Water Stewardship Strategies

• The Moberly Community Water Stewardship Strategy (2008) is a collaborative effort of the Moberly Lake Community Association, Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations.
• The Fort Nelson First Nation developed a water use plan for its traditional territory.
• The Peace River Regional District Water Stewardship Committee was established for that area.
• Groundwater testing is done by the Peace River Regional District (in partnership with Agriculture Canada) in Arras, Sunset Prairie, Chetwynd, Fort St. John, Groundbirch, Kiskatinaw, Moberly Lake, Pouce Coupe, Prespatou, Rolla and Wonowon.
• The City of Dawson Creek has a variety of water stewardship activities underway, including:
• Completion of integrated Watershed Management and Source Water Protection Plans.
• Initiation of a Watershed Research Program.
• A water treatment facility that reclaims water from municipal sewage effluent.
• Support for water and sewer utility measures, and practices to promote conservation and sustainability within the city.
• Promoting best practices for water management for all resource industries.
• Groundwater characterization and monitoring in the Upper Kiskatinaw River watershed.

Media Contact:
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261