2015.01 MAXIMIZE REMOVAL OF CHEMICALS & PHARMACEUTICALS FROM WASTEWATER BEFORE RELEASING WASTEWATER INTO THE ENVIRONMENT
Whereas 1 technology has evolved to such a point that it now allows scientists to note extremely small amounts of substances in the water; and
Whereas 2 there are increasing risks around the potability of water because of ingestion and elimination by an increasing number of people who rely on medication to deal with health issues; and
Whereas 3 Environment Canada informed the Senate in February 2014 of the fact that 164 chemicals have been identified in trace amounts in the water of Canadian lakes and waterways for the first time in North America; and
Whereas 4 a report on a river in Southern Ontario showed the feminization of fish due to trace amounts of hormones from birth control medications found in the water; and
Whereas 5 the possible toxic cocktail caused by the infinite number of potential interactions between many compounds exacerbates the risks of toxicity; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that wastewater be treated to maximize the removal of toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals before releasing wastewater into the environment; and be it further
Resolved 2 that NCWC urge the Government of Canada to:
a. require all communities to treat wastewater to maximize the removal of toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals before releasing wastewater into the environment; and
b. have the cost borne by the industry responsible for the toxin; and be it further
Resolved 3 that NCWC urge the Local and Provincial Councils of Women to lobby their respective levels of government to prioritize effective treatment of their community’s wastewater to maximize the removal of toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals before releasing wastewater into the environment; and be it further
Resolved 4 that NCWC raise the issue with the International Council of Women so that the ICW/CIF can address the issue with its federates.
PLAIN LANGUAGE FORMAT
Policy Statement
The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopts as policy that wastewater be treated to maximize the removal of toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals before releasing wastewater into the environment.
Request of Government
NCWC urges the Government of Canada to:
a. require all communities to treat wastewater to maximize the removal of toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals before releasing wastewater into the environment, and
b. have the cost borne by the industry responsible for the toxin.
Request of Other Councils
NCWC urges the Local and Provincial Councils of Women to lobby their respective levels of government to prioritize effective treatment of their communities’ wastewater to maximize the removal of toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals before releasing wastewater into the environment.
NCWC will raise the issue with the International Council of Women so that the ICW/CIF can address the issue with its federates.
Rationale
Technology has evolved to such a point that it now allows scientists to note extremely small amounts of substances in the water. There are increasing risks around the potability of water because of ingestion and elimination by an increasing number of people who rely on medication to deal with health issues. Environment Canada informed the Senate in February 2014 of the fact that 164 chemicals have been identified in trace amounts in the water of Canadian lakes and waterways for the first time in North America; and a report on a river in Southern Ontario showed the feminization of fish due to trace amounts of hormones from birth control medications found in the water. The possible toxic cocktail caused by the infinite number of potential interactions between many compounds exacerbates the risks of toxicity.