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News Release

For immediate release
April 29, 2006

GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO INVESTS IN HELPING WELL OWNERS
KEEP DRINKING WATER SAFE AND CLEAN
Supports Education Programs For Well Owners

PETERBOROUGH – The Ontario government is helping well owners keep their drinking water safe by funding an education and outreach program, Environment Minister Laurel Broten announced today.

The government is providing $375,000 to Well Aware, an education and outreach program run by Green Communities Canada, a national association of non-profit organizations that deliver innovative and practical solutions to Canadian households and communities. Well Aware encourages Ontario’s residential well owners to maintain their wells properly to help protect drinking water.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians have access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Broten. “The Well Aware program works because it gives well owners the tools and knowledge they need to protect the health of their families and their communities.”

The funding will be used to:

• Produce and distribute information materials, including 30,000 Well Aware booklets.
• Develop guided self-assessments designed to identify contamination problems and positive actions that can be taken by well owners.
• Host community forums with information and outreach in eight regions and municipalities.
• Design and host workshops for persons whose job includes providing information to well owners.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Ontario government to protect the province’s groundwater supply, now and for the future,” said Clifford Maynes, Executive Director of Green Communities Canada. “The Well Aware program is very popular and successful because it benefits so many people by keeping the shared water supply clean.”

The Well Aware project supports the ministry’s overall vision and mandate of protecting groundwater and human health. The program plays an important role in ensuring that private well owners understand their responsibilities for well maintenance and construction in order to promote public safety and environmental protection.

“Green Communities is providing a great service to Ontarians,” Broten added. “To ensure a sustainable supply of drinking water, well owners need to be informed, they need to know how to prevent contaminants from entering their drinking water supply and our groundwater. I am pleased to support such an innovative and proactive initiative.”

For more information on the Well Aware program, please visit www.wellaware.ca, or visit the Green Communities Canada website at www.gca.ca.

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Contacts:
John Steele Communications Branch 416-314-6666	Lindsay Mack Minister's Office 416-314-5139 416-545-7311