85.5 Safe Drinking Water
Whereas, Ideally, synthetic organics should not be present in finished drinking water;
Whereas, There are increasing numbers of such chemicals and trace in-organics appearing in drinking water;
Whereas, Water quality purification facilities are not designed to cope with this situation;
Whereas, The effects of these new contaminants on human health and the environment are unknown;
Whereas, Existing drinking water quality guidelines are not being enforced; and,
Whereas, There is a need for well-researched universal guidelines for safe drinking water across Canada; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada:
- To enact a Safe Drinking Water Act, and as far as its jurisdiction extends, encourage the provinces in their efforts to ensure safe drinking water standards in all areas of Canada;
- To encourage the use of improved water purification plant technologies; and,
- To protect water sources by allocating more resources to prevent contamination of water supplies, with particular attention to the recycling and reduction of wastes; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada request the Provincial Councils of Women to urge their respective governments to accept federal guidelines and adopt legislation on drinking water quality standards.