2014-2015

News Release

REF NO.: 71

SUBJECT: PSA: Public lecture about safety of province's drinking water

DATE: November 3, 2014

The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University will host a public lecture on Wednesday, Nov. 5, to talk about the safety of the province’s drinking water.

Melissa McComiskey, environmental engineer/Drinking Water Program lead, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Water Resources Management Division, will talk about how the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to ensuring that the residents of the province have clean and safe drinking water.

The Multi-Barrier Strategic Action Plan (MBSAP) for Drinking Water Safety in Newfoundland and Labrador is an inter-departmental initiative, led by the Department of Environment and Conservation, to co-ordinate the implementation and collaboration of the MBSAP for more than 500 public water supply systems.

The province’s Water Resources Management Division works in close consultation and co-operation with communities who are the owners and operators of public water supply systems. Communities play an important role in the implementation of MBSAP.

While the government has made substantial progress in the implementation of MBSAP, it is still working to address challenges relating to small systems, sustainability of drinking water services, private groundwater systems and higher levels of disinfection by-products. Learn how the government plans to continue to implement and strengthen the MBSAP and to grow and learn by facing challenges together.

The Speaking of Engineering lecture series, hosted by the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Engineering building, room EN-2006, on Memorial’s St. John’s campus. Admission is free. Parking is available in lot 16. All are welcome. Reception to follow.

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