By Brad Fairley, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Regina
Through its Rural Water Development Program (RWDP), PFRA has been helping rural clients gain access to reliable sources of high quality water since 1935. Recent changes to the program have seen its emphasis shift to include providing assistance on projects that improve water quality or extend the life of water development projects. This change reflects a dramatic increase in public awareness regarding water quality, as well as the realization that, in many cases, protecting and treating water is a more efficient way to meet our clients' water supply needs.
With many agencies sharing responsibility for water quality, partnerships play a vital role in PFRA's activities. Agricultural Green Plan Agreements with each of the provinces have allowed PFRA to partner with other agencies to seek solutions to long-standing water quality problems on the rural Prairies.
With PFRA moving into water quality, it is fair to ask what we can bring to the water quality scene? First, we add an agricultural focus. Many agencies have responsibilities related to water quality, but few concentrate on water quality as it relates to the agriculture and agri-food sector. Second, PFRA adds a Prairie-wide perspective. There are efficiencies to be had by ensuring that information and technology developed within one jurisdiction is shared throughout the three Prairie provinces. Last, PFRA has expertise in both land and water management. This combination of expertise is vital in developing and delivering the integrated approach required to address agricultural water quality issues.
PFRA's commitment to water quality has taken the form of a new water quality group focusing on point of use water quality issues. A second group has also been formed by PFRA to look at how agricultural activities affect water quality. This group is focusing on best management practices. That expertise will ultimately be blended with point of use treatment knowledge to provide a balanced approach to protecting and enhancing rural water supplies
Our water quality clients are agricultural producers and processors. These clients are served mainly by our regional and district staff, with the water quality group providing technical support. PFRA also plans to work closely with other agencies to meet client needs.
PFRA is currently working with our partners on a number of water quality projects. These include: surveys of surface and ground waters for contaminants; constructed wetlands for treatment of agricultural wastes; barley straw for control of dugout algae; biological treatment for removal of arsenic and manganese; a process for rehabilitating wells fouled by iron bacteria; coagulation of dugouts to reduce dissolved organic carbon; freeze desalination for lowering total dissolved solids within dugouts; and treatment systems for aquaculture operations. The findings of these projects will be available through fact sheets, workshops, training sessions, journal publications and the Prairie Water News.
To contact the author, write to PFRA, 603-1800 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK S4P 4L2
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