Document addresses some of groups concerns

The Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Water recently met to discuss the new draft Water Act and feels the important document reflects many of their concerns raised during the public consultations.

The purpose and goals of the act are clearly defined and cover the protection of water for the health of all life on PEI.

The Coalition is also pleased to see the inclusion of the “polluter pays” principle, as well as a ban on exporting water from P.E.I., as the sale of water could open the door to other problems. Members also welcome the strong statements on public access to information, transparency in the registry and approval of permits, and proposed plans for regular monitoring and reporting, as very positive aspects of the Act.

The precautionary principle and intergenerational equity are identifiable in the purpose and goals, but the Coalition believes that they could be more strongly worded.

The Coalition formed in 2015 in response to pressure to lift the moratorium on high capacity wells for agriculture.

Our position on that issue has not changed. We would like to see the moratorium continue, as well as a ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

The Coalition believes that there should be more ongoing opportunities for citizen engagement in water governance and decisionmaking, with a particular emphasis on future consultation and collaboration with the watershed groups, as well as providing resources to assist their work. There were no concrete plans or steps to eliminate the pollutants in our waters. We know some of this will be in the regulations, but we want to see clear direction and action in order to improve the health of our aquatic ecosystems now and for the future.

The section on access to clean water was also welcome, but Coalition members want to see stronger wording to more closely follow the UN’s resolution for the right to clean drinking water and sanitation being essential to the realisation of all human rights.

Catherine O’Brien, Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Water