89.2 Groundwater Quality Contamination
[Whereas,] Rationale:
One quarter of all Canadians rely directly on groundwater for their domestic use. The incidence of the contamination of wells through leaching of toxic substances from industrial, municipal, and agricultural sources is increasing, with a corresponding increase in the contamination of surface waters. Ground waters and surface waters are interactive components of the hydrologic cycle.
Remedial efforts to restore contaminated ground waters are very costly, may continue for decades, and have a low rate of success.
As the quality of groundwater resources in Canada is poorly defined and usually site-specific, an adequate database is essential before groundwater concerns can be addressed.
[RESOLVED,] NCWC urges the Government of Canada:
- To expedite groundwater protection through implementation of Policy Statement No. 3 of the Federal Water policy;
- To establish in co-operation with the provinces and territories, a groundwater quality monitoring programme with a central registry and database;
- To establish groundwater quality guidelines with respect to heavy metals and organic compound contaminants; and,
- To offer technical support to the provinces and territories.