Description : This document delineates the strategy proposed by the MDDEP (Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs) for the protection and the preservation of springs used for drinking water. The goal of this strategy is to make sure that the entire population is provided with drinking water in sufficient quantity and quality for present and future generations.
Main points of the proposed strategy and implications for SOS
In brief, all the key points of the strategy are in line with the approach and the actions taken by SOS Wakefield regarding the Spring and thus they constitute strong arguments for our cause. These key points are :
· Reaffirmation of the principles of prevention, precaution and participation-involvement of citizens already contained in the « Loi sur le développement durable ».
o SOS Comment : We expect their application to sources of water in general, including the Wakefield Spring.
· The responsibility given to the municipalities to list their Category 1 springs for drinking water and to analyze in details their vulnerability. A category 1 spring is one that provides water to more than 500 people.
o SOS Comment : The Wakefield Spring ought to be considered as a Category 1 spring and consequently the Municipality of La Pêche should analyze its vulnerability thoroughly.
· The obligation made to the Municipalities to develop and make public precise plans for the protection and the preservation of their Category 1 springs, and to update them on a periodical basis.
o SOS comment : The Municipality of La Pêche should take steps to comply with this request.
· The demand made to the Municipalities to collaborate with interest groups and concerned citizens in sharing with them their knowledge and expertise in the interest of the community.
o SOS comment : SOS has always interacted with the Municipality in a spirit of collaboration. It expects that the Municipality will comply with this demand for sharing knowledge and expertise regarding the protection and preservation of the Wakefield Spring.
· The responsibility given to the MRC to elaborate comprehensive plans for the protection and preservation of drinking water resources at the regional level, and to take them into account in their projects of territorial management and developpement.
o SOS comment : SOS supports this point that the protection and preservation of the Wakefield Spring need to be developed taking into account the context of present and future land management and development (in particular all the works associated with the A5 extension construction and possible future installations of businesses in the vicinity of the Wakefield Spring).
Main points of the proposed strategy and implications for SOS
In brief, all the key points of the strategy are in line with the approach and the actions taken by SOS Wakefield regarding the Spring and thus they constitute strong arguments for our cause. These key points are :
· Reaffirmation of the principles of prevention, precaution and participation-involvement of citizens already contained in the « Loi sur le développement durable ».
o SOS Comment : We expect their application to sources of water in general, including the Wakefield Spring.
· The responsibility given to the municipalities to list their Category 1 springs for drinking water and to analyze in details their vulnerability. A category 1 spring is one that provides water to more than 500 people.
o SOS Comment : The Wakefield Spring ought to be considered as a Category 1 spring and consequently the Municipality of La Pêche should analyze its vulnerability thoroughly.
· The obligation made to the Municipalities to develop and make public precise plans for the protection and the preservation of their Category 1 springs, and to update them on a periodical basis.
o SOS comment : The Municipality of La Pêche should take steps to comply with this request.
· The demand made to the Municipalities to collaborate with interest groups and concerned citizens in sharing with them their knowledge and expertise in the interest of the community.
o SOS comment : SOS has always interacted with the Municipality in a spirit of collaboration. It expects that the Municipality will comply with this demand for sharing knowledge and expertise regarding the protection and preservation of the Wakefield Spring.
· The responsibility given to the MRC to elaborate comprehensive plans for the protection and preservation of drinking water resources at the regional level, and to take them into account in their projects of territorial management and developpement.
o SOS comment : SOS supports this point that the protection and preservation of the Wakefield Spring need to be developed taking into account the context of present and future land management and development (in particular all the works associated with the A5 extension construction and possible future installations of businesses in the vicinity of the Wakefield Spring).
