- What are the impacts of a declining water table?
A declining water table can result in groundwater depletion which in turn may result in dry wells, reduction of water in streams and lakes, deterioration of water quality, increased water costs and land subsidence. In some cases declining water levels are caused by sustained groundwater pumping.
- What changes are going to be implemented based on the water studies? It’s time for action!
- We need more action from the RDN. The Yellow Point area study was well done but there are still issues that have not been resolved (dry wells and aesthetics problems).
The RDN is moving towards Integrated Watershed Management Planning (IWMP). The success of this process is dependent on the input and participation of all watershed stakeholders. Watch for public meetings and consultations in your area in 2014. IWMP was introduced at these meetings and more information can be found at www.dwwp.ca.
- I would like to find out more on the protection of our water from chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
- What are the specific concerns related to contaminant risk and what are the solutions?
Our FREE WellSmart workshops, offered in the fall, are great information sessions on all things related to your well, including contamination concerns. RDN also currently offers Rural Water Quality Incentive Programs for well upgrades and well water tests www.rdnrebates.ca.
- Are there any deals for landowners (including forestry) to make beneficial changes to our drinking water and watershed protection?
- How can we cope with development and create tools to restrict development?
- The session could have covered more variety to address all interests.
- How can we protect the land from pollutants and their leaching to the water system?
- It would be great to see proactive measurers from the DWWP to promote planning departments to protect watersheds.
Check out our rebates page to find an overview of incentives for property owners (i.e. Rainwater Harvesting). Land use planning and development is Program Three (P3) of the DWWP action plan and will be central to our upcoming work on Integrated Watershed Management Plans. Small steps towards incorporating water in land use decisions include the Yellow Point DPA and the Agricultural Water Demand Model. The DWWP program operates in ongoing and expanding partnerships with land owners, planners and decision makers.