rejuvenation of the Pembroke Canal.

An ambitious programme initiated in part by Belco could spread along the banks of the waterway to see life eventually spring forth from the water.

The canal has been a pollution hot spot for at least the last 100 years and has become almost stagnant with oil, chemicals and sewage killing any life there.

But now Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson is hoping that a unique restoration project will inspire others to help re-establish the canal as a living part of Pembroke.

His Ministry has contacted businesses and individuals along the waterway, which stretches from Mill's Creek to Peat Lane, in a bid to encourage them to follow the example of Belco.

"There is an increasing level of environmental consciousness,'' he said.

"The goal would eventually be to clean up the whole canal, with the idea of making portions a walkable park.

"We have identified every owner along the canal and written, telling them we are beginning initiatives to clean the water. It is a partnership between Government and industry.'' It is anticipated that owners may take it upon themselves to clean their own sections of water, in addition to schemes initiated by the Works and Engineering Department.

Already, HWP have done work and Belco are due to start this month.

An Environment Ministry spokesman said the water was in bad condition with almost no life in it -- which had been caused by pollution from many sources and over a number of years.

"There is very little life in the canal, there are high concentrations of metals, petroleum and sewage,'' said the Minister.

Belco, he said, had come up with their own action plan for breathing life back into the canal.

"We are monitoring it at every stage and it is being done to US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines,'' said Mr. Hodgson.

Belco manager of environment Wayne Carey said their clean up was taking place on a 200 metre stretch that was within their boundaries.