Drinking Water Week 2014

Drinking Water Week 2014

Get to Know Your H20
May 4 - 10, 2014

dwwp logo
When you turn on your sprinkler and clean, safe water comes out; do you know how it got there? Do you know where it goes when you're finished with it? Celebrate with us by learning more about your water!

About Drinking Water Week

Did you know that water is a finite resource? There is no such thing as 'new' water! Although the expenses may not be apparent, significant costs and energy are required to treat our drinking water to be clean and safe, deliver it to our taps, and manage the wastewater that goes down the drain. The demand for water is also increasing due to population growth, industry needs and climate change.

Drinking Water Week (DWW), May 4th - 10th, is a province wide campaign organized by BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) and supported by the Province of BC. The goal of this week is to raise awareness of the value of our water and the need to protect and conserve it, as well as the people and processes involved in getting clean water to our taps and returning it safely to the environment.

Watershed Friendly Yard Campaign & Photo Contest

Photo Contest
What you do in your backyard affects your watershed and drinking water. For example, when you use treated drinking water on your yard, this may not be the most efficient use of that water. To increase watershed health awareness and promote water wise yards, the RDN's Drinking Water and Watershed Protection (DWWP) Program will be running a region wide Watershed Friendly Yard campaign!

Photo Contest April 14th - May 10th

From now until May 10th, submit a photograph of what in your backyard makes your outdoor space Watershed Friendly. Each qualifying photo will receive a locally-made Watershed Friendly Yard sign* and will be entered into a draw to win one of three grand prizes. Winners will be drawn and announced on May 12th.

Contest Details:

  • Open to all residents of the RDN
  • To enter, email your photograph to watersmart [at] rdn.bc.ca (watersmart[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) or post them on social media using #WatershedFriendlyYard
  • Watershed Friendly Yard qualifying features*:

    • a yard free of insecticides, pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers
      WatershedFriendlyYard
    • native plantings
    • rain catchment
    • golden lawn
    • rain garden
    • xeriscaping
    • pervious patio stones
    • irrigation weather stations
    • rain sensors
      *If your Watershed Friendly Yard feature is not listed here, contact us to see if it qualifies for entry.

  • Once your photo is accepted you will receive a location and voucher to pick-up your locally-made Watershed Friendly Yard sign**
  • Three photos will be drawn for one of three grand prizes:

  • Contest closes May 10th
  • Winners drawn and announced May 12th

    *****Click here to view the photos submitted so far!!*****

Watershed Friendly Yard Campaign

Though the photo contest will be concluded with DWW on May 10th, the Watershed Friendly Yard campaign will continue throughout the summer! Submit your outdoor water wise photo at any time throughout the summer to receive a Watershed Friendly Yard sign**, proudly display how you care for our drinking water all summer long! Submit your photos to watersmart [at] rdn.bc.ca (watersmart[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) or post them on Social Media using #WatershedFriendlyYard. (**Signs available while quantities last, one sign per household)

In the Schools

For Drinking Water Week 2014, school presentations for Elementary children and a school drawing contest will also be completed. Interactive watershed presentations will take place from April 28th - May 10th, to book a presentation or for more information on the drawing contest please contact Lauren.
Community Water Challenge

For more information contact:

Lauren Fegan
Drinking Water & Watershed Protection
250-390-6560
watersmart [at] rdn.bc.ca (watersmart[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca)
RDN Social Media: Get to know your H20:
Drinking Water Week Videos
DWW links: