Focus
on Rural Water
Most Canadians have access to an
ample supply of high quality drinking water. However, this
is not necessarily the case for all rural residents in Saskatchewan
or First Nations people living on Reserves. The most common
water problems in these communities usually relate to well
water with high mineral content. In some cases, concentrations
of arsenic, selenium, and nitrates are an issue. Hardness
and corrosion are also significant problems in some areas.
Some First Nations drinking water
supplies need to be improved. For example, the Yellow Quill
First Nation east of Saskatoon has been on a 'boil water advisory'
since 1995. Although there are few statistics kept on water-related
illness, both federal and provincial water authorities and
community residents believe that poor water quality is a problem
of some magnitude. Recent federal government measures have
recognized this problem and have allocated increased resources
for improvements.
First Nation communities, certain
rural communities and private water supplies also need new
ways to purify water that is high in organic compounds. Dissolved
organic matter occurs as a result of decaying plant and animal
life, and leaches from plants and organic-rich soils. When
using chlorine to kill bacteria in water with high concentrations
of organic matter, cancer-causing byproducts called trihalomethanes
may be created.
Chasing Technology
Water treatment systems must be
designed to suit the water supply and to remove specific water
impurities for the intended use. Water treatment design always
requires a series of processes to be undertaken in a specific
sequence, improving water quality at each stage.
The most commonly used technologies
around the world are chemical coagulation, sand and gravel
filtration, and chlorination. These technologies are used
in virtually all urban and rural communities in Saskatchewan
that treat surface water. Several more advanced technologies
are also listed in the table below.
Coagulation with sand filtration
and chlorination provide excellent removal of most particulate
and organic matter, bacteria, viruses, and parasites (like
cryptosporidium). Using a number of processes is called 'Multiple
barrier approach'. |
