Our Water Source
Charlottetown water comes from a series of wells all located within the Winter River watershed. We share this water source with the residents of the watershed communities who draw on this water using private wells.
What is a watershed? A watershed is an area which acts as a funnel, collecting water and directing it into streams and rivers and then into the ocean, inland lakes or seas. Watersheds vary in size depending on the amount of land area that drains into the water catch basin.
Classifying land into Watersheds has become a very popular way to approach environmental management. These boundaries define a bioregion with its own set of attributes and challenges.
Individuals and groups from within these boundaries have over time formed Watershed Associations and Groups that dedicate themselves to the care and protection of their watershed. As of May 2010 there were 31 different watershed groups on Prince Edward Island that focus on restoration, enhancement and protection of watersheds.
Winter River Watershed
The Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association is an active organization that works in areas connected to the Tracadie Bay. They are currently working extensively with their community members and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan that will identify goals and actions for the next 10 years. The Charlottetown Water and Sewer Utility is proud to be a financial sponsor of the work by the Winter River–Tracadie Bay Watershed Association.
Visit the Winter River-Tracadie Bay Association Website
How does water demand affect the Winter River watershed?
There are many people with a shared interest in the waters of Winter River. Charlottetown and Winter River residents depend on this watershed for clean and adequate residential supply. This area is also a popular destination for recreation for hikers, bird-watchers, fishers and anglers. There are many farms in this area that depend on adequate water for their crops and Tracadie Bay is home to several aquaculture operations that require clean water with consistent water temperatures.
Humans aren’t the only ones that depend on the Winter River water source. There is a diverse community of mammals, birds, amphibians and plant life that rely on the groundwater that feeds into its streams, rivers and bay.
We all want to be able to enjoy a clean and abundant source of water. That is why it is so important that we use water carefully and make an effort to cut out our water waste.
For tips on how you can reduce your water waste visit the Water Conservation Tips and Programs Page.
Save Some Water for Me, Please
In 2012, in partnership with the Charlottetown Water & Sewer Utility, the Winter-River Tracadie Bay Watershed Association developed a series of water conservation commercials. These commercials encourage residents and business owners in Charlottetown to reduce their water use through simple changes in their day-to-day water use habits.