The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) celebrated its 15th Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grants (WCQI) this week by awarding funds for projects across the valley that aim to improve water safety.
Since the program began in 2006, and with 16 grants totaling $ 350,000 this week, the board has now awarded 300 grants to nonprofits in the Okanagan, First Nations, local governments and irrigation counties, for a total of 5 Equals $ 1 million.
“We are very excited about the multitude of projects that have been supported over the years to protect the water in our valley, known as one of the most water-rich regions in Canada,” said James Littley, Operations Manager and grant manager from OBWB.
Projects funded this year include on-site restoration work, water monitoring, public relations and much more.
One such project is “A Syilx siwɬkʷ (Water) Story: A Signs Journey by Rail”, which is led by the Okanagan Nation Alliance.
The project includes installing signs along the Okanagan Rail Trail using key messages originally created for the 2016 touring exhibition, Social Life of Water, which was shown in museums across the valley.
Much of the rail route already runs along the coast of the Okanagan lakes and streams.
This project will bring the history of water to those already on the railroad and explain the importance of water, how it connects us and everything around us.
“Signs are a fantastic way to enhance the visitor experience,” added Littley.
Another project is “Assessment of Microplastics in Lake Okanagan” by FreshWater Life in collaboration with the City of Kelowna.
This project includes water sampling to determine whether microplastics are present in Lake Okanagan and whether wastewater is a potential source of contamination.
And when they are found, work will be carried out to develop solutions that will prevent entry into local waterways.
“The public has become increasingly aware of plastic pollution, particularly in the ocean, but is less aware of microplastics and even less of freshwater,” Littley said.
“This project will help us develop a thorough understanding of the problem of how it affects our lives, drinking water and the environment in the Okanagan and, if necessary, develop an answer.”
A third project is a pilot project to identify drinking water protection areas by the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District (RDOS).
Currently there are 190 water systems in RDOS alone (groundwater, lake, stream and river sources).
The project will identify wells and inlets and define drinking water protection areas. This will help water utilities improve potential emergency response measures and ensure that the public, developers, government officials and others are better informed before working in these areas.
This project will also be available as a template for mapping efforts in other regions.
“The bottom line is to identify water sources and protect the water quality in our valley,” added Littley.
In total, the OBWB received 24 grant applications for a total of USD 575,405 this year.
A full list of projects funded this year can be found in the WCQI database at https://www.obwb.ca/wcqi_project/.
