Predictions
are risky
Predicting water trends is fraught
with uncertainty, market trends invariably impact upon economic
decisions and the water environment. Weather, variable by
nature, is subject to large fluctuations in precipitation.
Water flows on the Red River have been recorded as much as
100 times greater from one period of the same year to another
period. Snow conditions in the Rocky Mountains can affect
water flows in the Nelson River system. Floods can wash fertilizers
and other chemicals from fields and cause abnormally high
concentrations of chemicals to suddenly appear in a lake,
stream or river.
Best judgements
Overall water supply is
uncertain. Precipitation is highly variable on the Prairies
as is streamflow and there is no statistically significant
trend in precipitation on the prairies over the past century.
However because Rocky Mountain glacial meltwater is declining
and evaporation from Prairie regions is increasing due to
a 1.5 - 2 degree Celsius increase in temperatures, surface
water supplies are likely to diminish. Wider fluctuations
in water variability are predicted to challenge water supply
and flood control structures.
Overall water quality of
surface waters, also referred to as the health of aquatic
ecosystems, could deteriorate if water management actions
fail to keep up with new knowledge on threats to water quality
and quantity. For example increased evaporation due to higher
temperatures and longer ice-free seasons could have a net
effect of increasing salinity, contaminants and nutrients
in surface waters. Wastewater treatment systems must be designed
or upgraded to deal with such issues. A major research project
of water issues associated with Lake Winnipeg is expected
to produce important new findings about current water conditions
and future trends.
Drinking water of adequate
quality will be a continuing challenge, especially for smaller
communities. Nutrient and other chemical issues, as well as
viral and microbial health, will be increasingly associated
with drinking water supplies.
Groundwater - While unchanged
in northern areas groundwater quality has been showing the
effects of long-term use, deterioration in well infrastructure,
the lack of maintenance of infrastructure, changing land use
and increased use. The carbonate aquifer in Manitoba, which
is the dominant and largest aquifer, is under the most pressure
in heavily populated areas. Threats include the effects of
increased development on its long-term sustainability, and
potential for contamination and deterioration in quality.
Some southern aquifers may also be reaching their sustainable
yield.
Water monitoring - Although
the network of monitoring stations has been greatly expanded
since the 1970s more recent reductions of services suggest
that overall, less monitoring of both water quantity and quality
is taking place today than ten years ago. This is of great
concern since adequate information about water conditions
is essential for good water management.
Wastewater treatment - Although
progress has been made, much more must be done to reduce risks
to both human and environmental health. Municipal and industry
wastewater managers must keep in step with technology and
contemporary best wastewater management practices in order
to prevent water quality and aquatic health from deteriorating.
Contaminants in fish - Is
improving in the North as existing hydro impacts diminish
over time but is believed to be increasing in southern areas,
because of agricultural, industrial and municipal activities.
Public participation - Increased
water awareness and diligence by concerned citizens helps
to ensure that a better job of addressing water problems is
done at the community, provincial and national level. |
