SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has announced a one-time grant of $40,000 to ensure air quality remains healthy in the west-central region of the province.
The Western Yellowhead Air Management Zone (WYAMZ) is Saskatchewan’s second association formed to collect continuous real-time air quality data with online public access.
WYAMZ covers an area that stretches from east of Saskatoon to the Alberta border and from north of Meadow Lake to south of Rosetown.
Five air quality monitors, also known as airpointers, are now accessible 24/7 online in Meadow Lake, Unity, Maidstone and Kindersley and North Battleford.
The grant money announced on Wednesday will be used for servicing, maintenance and calibration of airpointer stations in the WYAMZ region.
“Air management zones play an important role in protecting our environment and contributing to a better quality of life,” said Ken Cheveldayoff, Saskatchewan’s environment minister.
“They bring together the public, government, industry and other organizations to monitor air quality and find solutions to keep our air clean.”
Air management zones are non-profit organizations with a goal to drive continuous improvements in air quality. Membership is voluntary with industry members sharing the funding responsibilities.
The province is divided into six air zones with two associations currently active. The Southeast Air Zone Association (SESAA) began data collection in 2006 and encompasses approximately 36,800 square kilometres.
SESAA continuously monitors nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ground level ozone and fine particulate levels.
These substances can occur naturally, originate from human-related activities, or from interactions between the two.
The ministry is working with stakeholders to establish a third zone encompassing Regina, Moose Jaw and Yorkton areas.
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