Okanagan Basin Water Board to celebrate Canada Water Week

The Okanagan Basin Water Board and its Okanagan WaterWise program have lined up a number of events to celebrate UN World Water Day and Canada Water Week, March 19-25, including a special screening of the awardwinning film RiverBlue.

In addition, there’s a contest for youth, and the everpopular – and free – public forum and mixer.These events are being rounded out by tours and other events by Water Board partners.

“There’s truly something for everyone this year,” said OBWB Chair Tracy Gray. “We’re very excited about this year’s events and pleased to have so many partners join us in this annual celebration.”

The fun begins on Monday, March 20 with the kick-off of the Okanagan WaterWise Challenge. Similar to bingo, school classes and individuals throughout the Okanagan, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, are invited to participate in up to three challenges on an H2O board that help conserve and protect our water.

“It’s a new twist this year, but with all the same great prizes as in past years,” said OBWB communications director Corinne Jackson, who also manages the WaterWise program. “We’re encouraging young people to get active in and around water, and build awareness for the need to look after it.”

Challenges include creek clean-ups, fixing leaks, and more. Prizes include a 2-hour boat cruise on Okanagan Lake for a private class lesson on Okanagan water, presented by the Okanagan Science Centre, as well as pizza parties and pool passes. Contest ends April 28. More information is available online at OkWaterWise.ca.

On Tuesday, March 21, 6-8 p.m. the popular annual panel discussion makes a return with this year’s topic Why WASTE Water?

The panel will be MC’ed by well-known Kelowna broadcaster Phil Johnson, host of AM1150’s The Early Edition. Johnson will keep the conversation flowing as he leads audience members on a story-telling water journey, first following the perspective of those who collect the water, clean the water, and deliver it to our homes. Then to one who uses it while trying to conserve and keep it clean. And then on to those who collect the waste water and clean it to be returned back to nature, for fish, for swimming,