Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues: National Summary

2.0 PROVINCIAL SUMMARIES

2.9 Prince Edward Island

The following text summarizes information from the report titled Agricultural Water Supply Issues: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

2.9.1  Issues/Constraints and Information Gaps

The primary water supply constraints in Prince Edward Island relate to the need for supplemental irrigation for cash crops, particularly for potatoes and other vegetables. Increasingly, producers rely on irrigation as a tool for managing risks associated with crop production. In addition, research on the island has illustrated significant increased yields for potatoes under irrigation.

The groundwater resources of PEI have been well documented, and reports indicate that extraction for supplemental irrigation would have no impact on the supply. One of the main concerns related to extraction of groundwater for irrigation, is the impact on surface flows; groundwater discharge accounts for 60-70% of stream flow on an annual basis and approaches 100% during the growing season.

At the moment, a moratorium exists on the development of new groundwater extractions (>50 gpm). The Department of Fisheries, Agriculture and Environment is currently conducting a study which will set the basis for planned and equitable access to water and for policies related to water management.

Because of the moratorium of high capacity wells for irrigation, some producers have had to develop other water supplies in order to irrigate. Most of these supplies are off-stream storage structures. In many cases, producers have not been able to access technical expertise to help identify options for water source development and distribution for irrigation purposes.

The main issues, constraints or knowledge gaps identified through the consultative process included:

• The provincial moratorium on drilling of high capacity wells for irrigation;
• Public concern over the use of groundwater for irrigation; and,
• Lack of accessibility by producers to expertise on irrigation technologies and water conservation techniques

2.9.2  Priorities

Priority programs and activities included:

• Development and dissemination of information on best management practices for irrigation, including funding for field-scale research;
• Provision of technical assistance for water supply development alternatives to deep wells; and,
• Financial assistance for on-farm or group-based water supply development.

2.9.3  Recommended Program Principles, Elements, or Criteria

Recommendations include assistance for:

• Funding for research and development of information specifically related to irrigation technologies;
• Funding for individual and group water supply development; and,
• Funding for, or provision of, technical assistance.

Specific program criteria that were recommended include:

• Funding for research activities should be limited to multi-stakeholder initiatives; and
• Funding for infrastructure should be accessible to individuals and groups of producers.

2.10 Newfoundland and Labrador

The following text summarizes information from the report titled Agricultural Water Supply Issues: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

2.10.1 Issues/Constraints and Information Gaps

Availability of sufficient water for agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador is not an issue. There is, however, a general lack of information available on the current and future water needs, uses, and management practices of both the producers and food processors.

Some concerns were expressed over the quality of water for dairy production. However, there is virtually no information available on the extent or the severity of the problem. In addition, there was some concern expressed over limited access to good quality water (primarily groundwater). In this case, surface water is available, but seen to be of poor quality for the intended use.

Some irrigation is used in the province, but the use is primarily for frost protection. Although occasional moisture deficits may occur, producers have not found that irrigation is not cost-effective, given the infrequency of the events.

The main issues, constraints or knowledge gaps identified through the consultative process included:

• Lack of information on agricultural water needs and uses; and,
• Potential concern over access to good quality water year-round;

2.10.2  Priorities

The priorities identified included:

• Determination of the suitability and availability of water supply for agricultural operations;
• Assessment of water quality in specific watersheds where producers and processors utilise surface water from the same source as municipalities; and,
• Development of groundwater wells.

2.10.3  Recommended Program Principles, Elements, or Criteria

The general recommendations include financial assistance for:

• A study on producer and food processor water supply needs and uses;
• Development of groundwater wells; and,
• Water quality monitoring.

The only criteria that was identified was that assessments of agricultural water constraints or identification of ways to address those constraints should be carried out on a farm-by-farm basis due to the distances between farms.