CBT funds municipal water conservation initiatives
March 1, 2010 by Columbia Basin Trust
Filed under Environment, Government, Homes, Local news
Local governments partner with CBT to address water conservation.
Columbia Basin Trust.
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is pleased to announce that 19 local governments will be participating in the Columbia Basin Water Smart Initiative (Water Smart) to address water conservation in the region.
CBT is partnering with 17 municipalities and two regional districts to embark on this ambitious initiative to reduce community water use across the Basin by 20 per cent by 2015. Communities will determine their own local water conservation target that will contribute to the overall Basin-wide target.
“Feedback from Basin residents and local governments indicated that water conservation is a priority, and is key to ensuring a healthy and sustainable water supply for future generations. The response and interest from local governments has been fantastic and we are eager to start working with communities to achieve the Basin-wide target by developing local solutions around water conservation,” said Kindy Gosal, CBT Director, Water and Environment.
A Water Smart Team will provide one-on-one technical support to help communities prepare, develop and monitor a Water Smart Action Plan, and CBT will provide up to $10,000 in matching funding to support the implementation of the plans.”
Local governments will sign a Water Smart Charter demonstrating their commitment to water conservation and willingness to work with CBT and other Basin communities to achieve regional water conservation goals.
“Cranbrook is excited to partner with CBT in their Water Smart Initiative. It is an important program not only for water conservation, but for the long-term sustainability of Cranbrook and the Basin,” said Scott Manjak, Mayor of Cranbrook. “I believe this partnership will create new and innovative approaches to water conservation and Cranbrook is proud to be at the forefront of this effort.”
The Water Smart Team will begin working with the 19 local governments in a staged approach beginning in March 2010. The participating local governments include: Castlegar, Cranbrook, Creston, Elkford, Fernie, Fruitvale, Golden, Kaslo, Montrose, Nakusp, Nelson, Radium, Salmo, Slocan, the Regional Districts of Central and East Kootenay, Sparwood, Trail and Valemount.
“Salmo is pleased to participate in CBT’s Water Smart Initiative. We look forward to working with CBT to develop a program for our community that will educate our citizens on why we have to be smart in conserving our water and the costs associated with providing that water,” said Ann Henderson, Mayor of Salmo.
Water conservation is a local, regional, national and global issue. Canada is the second highest per capita water user in the world, British Columbia is one of the highest per capita water users in Canada, and the Columbia Basin is one of the highest per capita users in British Columbia.
Regardless of where you live in the Basin, all residents can start to take immediate action to conserve water. Read CBT’s Water Smart Fact Sheet to find out more about water conservation and how residents can become more water smart http://www.cbt.org/pdfs/CBT_WaterSmart_FactSheet.pdf.
CBT is committed to working with Basin residents to improve their understanding of and involvement in water issues. Water Smart is one of several water initiatives funded and delivered by CBT. CBT is also working in areas related to water quality, water stewardship, water governance and trans-boundary water issues. For more information on CBT’s Water Initiatives, visit http://www.cbt.org/water.
CBT delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit http://www.cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.
Castlegar
February 19, 2010
Columbia Basin Trust
Hey, how come this water thing has gone to the top of the priority list, while we are still dumping raw sewage into the lakes and rivers all over the Kootenays? — and THAT has been on the to-do list for decades. Kind of strange priorities if you ask me. The shit in the water is a real problem and has been for some time, while the shortage of water is only a future thing, or at best a localized problem. They need to give their political heads a shake, lol.
Shanna, you are thinking about this topic in a mioptic manner.
The BC Liberals try to think and act towards the future in a macroscopic manner rather than in a minute detail oriented, control the public in every thing they think and do manner.
We are trying to make a very old water act ( 100 years old ?) in British Columbia, more relevant to both today and tomorrow for our children and grandchildren. We are already acting and handing out grants to those communities that request and make application for grants for upgrades to water, sewer, waste collection and a multitude of other immediate needs within their own communities.
In this instance and so many others, planning into the future is a priority, acting for the present is a priority as well. The BC Liberals do not try to micro manage every thing in the province but rather manage so that all the citizens, through their community groups ( Rotary, civic government, Lions Club , NGO’s ) can make better decisions based on more local needs.
This re look at the water act of BC is macro planning and is an ongoing need of any government. It is not at the top of the priority list by any stretch of the imagination but rather one of many topics that we B C LIberals try to address in a quiet and efficient manner.
This particular venue is there for you, Shanna and everyone else, to make positive suggestions for the betterment of every one.
Take part by all means. Point out issues that can be addressed and better yet, offer solutions so that scientists and politicians and the public can evaluate those suggestions.
We welcome input especially if there is a modicum of thought put into possible solutions.
We welcome your thoughts.
David R Pacey
President, BC Liberals
Collumbia River Revelstoke
Cell 250 342 1524
So do you mean macro-planning like the way Victoria interfered when Erickson wanted to protect its drinking water but was forced to chlorinate? But wait, I thought you didn’t do micro-planning and let the locals manage their own affairs? If you are going to force Erickson to chlorinate then you should equally force people to stop dumping raw sewage into the public waterways. I detect a wee bit of talking out of both sides of your mouth here…
We all know that water pollution is an ongoing issue that has never been fully resolved over so many decades. I think as the governing party the Liberals should not pass the buck on this one and single out Water Act modernization as its only focus. I doubt you can come up with a credible excuse for not cleaning up the lakes and rivers. If the BC government spend a tenth as much on pollution prevention as it spent on the Olympics we would have an environmental miracle the world would envy. But no, it is not important enough. It is more profitable to just live in our own dirty nests.
Oh, and by the way, the Water Act discussion paper cites a number of important reasons why protecting stream flows is important. One of these is that it is necessary for diluting pollutants that are disposed of by dumping them into waterways. So don’t tell me there is no water pollution issue.
Actually Shanna, clorinating drinking water is an excellent way of managing health risk through out the country. It has been proven safe and effective both in outcome and in cost efficiency. That is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. As a matter of fact, I have to believe that the water consumed in my home town of Radium Hot Springs has to be arguably, the best in the Kooteny’s. But then I’m biased as I live here.
As to pollution, that is absolutely a bad thing and I don’t know where you get the idea or concept that I might have stated otherwise.
One of the worst offenders for pollution of water is the city of Victoria with it’s dumping of raw sewage into the Strait of Georgia and Juan de Fuca. Absolutly horrible for a city of that size and the capital of this province. Unfortunately, that is a municipal decision, not a provincial decision.
However, what happens if the Water Act is brought into the 21st Century?
Now if we have a revamped and upto date Water Act, then possibly, the provincial government can do something about that as well. Currently, —-not so.
But if we don’t bring the Water Act into the 21st century, then where are we going to be when the much touted concept of global warming / cooling starts to take affect ? We will be up the creek without some water let alone without a paddle.
This is the very reason that I and the BC Liberals are urging every one to contribute ideas, solutions, and yes, problems in relation to the water act so that scientists and politicians and NGO’s can make a significant difference.
I look forward to your positive comments and solutions.
David R Pacey
BC Liberal President
Columbia River Revelstoke
Cell 250 342 1524
Chlorine is a highly toxic substance that is illegal to release into the environment — except where it is convenient to turn a blind eye in favor of vested interests. It is really none of anyone’s business to tell the people of Erickson what is good for them and what is not. They are quite capable of deciding that for themselves and no one should interfere.
There is a similar situation brewing in the Slocan Valley, where residents have long been holding cell phone towers at bay due to well-documented health and safety concerns — but just like forced poisoning with chlorine, forced radiation poisoning in the Slocan is a losing battle.
When will the control freaks relax and just let others peacefully live their lives? When will business and government stop putting profit ahead of people and the environment?
Dont try to tell me that chlorine in drinking water (or anywhere else) is a good idea until you have thoroughly researched the reactions that take place between free chlorine and organic compounds in water. The biproducts are among the most carcinogenic known.
And don’t try to tell me that showering in hot chlorinated water does not result in chlorine being absorbed directly through the skin and into the bloodstream. That is what happens. And the health effects are well known. You apparently just don’t want to know about them.
I simply will not drink chlorinated water, nor bath in it, nor cook with it, nor spread it around my yard with a hose. It is a life-shortener that I really do not care for. You can die young if you want, but please keep that benefit to yourself and don’t force it on others.
Thanks for telling it like it is, Shanna.
I was just going to say the same thing but you said it better. From research I have done, I have learned that the two deadliest poisonous substances for the health of humans and the environment, are chlorine and fluorine. And our governments have allowed both of them into our drinking water. As for showering, it is recommended that you either have a filter on your showerhead or, failing that, don’t shower in hot water because the steam is deadly. so what does that say?
To Lynn and Shanna,
I have been reading a number of your posts on this and other threads throughout the CVnews. I have just one question for you hype-buying, conspiracy, fear mongering freaks…WHY ARE ANY OF US STILL ALIVE???
You’re both nuts… safe levels of chlorine in our drinking water won’t kill you! The government and all those with six-figure incomes are NOT out to kill everyone with secret, well organized toxic release programs! The sky is not falling!! We need to keep an eye on things, but the government and big business are not “life-shorteners” but be fore warned ladies…STRESS WILL GET YOU EVERY TIME! While we live long prosperous, happy lives drinkin’ the water, feelin the sunshine and basking in the glow of the evil cell towers, you two will quite surely go well before your time from high blood pressure over the anxiety you obviously carry with you in your every day lives! YOU CAN’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ!!!
Dear Anon – “conspiracy theory” has been debunked. People now know that there really is organized conspiracy by the elite.
Now, as for chlorine… why is it used to make water “safe”? Precisely because it is able to kill a wide range of pathogens. In fact, it kills just about everything in its path, including all the good and necessary bacteria in your gut (they are part of your immune system).
Why would you think that something that is used primarily for its toxic properties would somehow magically NOT be toxic to humans?
Ponder that, and maybe do a little homework. First you may need to extract your head from the sand. When you finish that assignment we will maybe send you to check out fluorine. It is marvelous for your health too (not).
How long have they been chlorinating drinking water for? How many deaths are directly attributed to this? You seem to be the expert…please enlighten me! There are a lot of things that in very small doses aid our bodies, yet in high, uncontrolled doses will kill us. Perhaps it is the lack of chlorine in your system that made you nuts!
Please also enlighten me about the “organized conspiracy by the elite.” I can’t wait to hear of your sinister stories of secret lairs, colourful henchmen, and how they hang around smoking oversized cigars and plot to intentionally kill poor people??? Very Doctor Evil-esc…REALLY!!??? I see from Lynn’s response below that she at least has one foot grounded in reality. As for you, I think you need to broaden your reading a wee bit, don’t believe everything you read and don’t buy into every thread of ‘junk science’ you hear about just because it backs your nutty, wacked out theories. As Lynn put it below “asking why is a good start” this is true and healthy. However, blind belief and unnecessary hysteria is just that … blind, unnecessary and hysterical.
As for me and my head in the sand, I wouldn’t go puttin’ my head in there…the rich, fancy folks have enslaved sand worms to tap into peoples minds and suck their brains out through their noses…I read it in the Tyee, it was backed up in an article in the Force Gazette (right next to their theorizing about how we should hate on the Olympics because the Bay engages in biological warfare) and then there was a follow up in Communism Today (no, not really)!
Take heed poor folks…the elite are coming…RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!
Well, Anon, maybe we write what we do to make people think just a little. Maybe there’s one person (or a few) that will start to look around and notice that something is very wrong with the way things are in the world. Maybe that person will begin to ask some questions ( asking ‘why’ is a good start) instead of blindly accepting what he is told to believe. If we don’t think that there’s a problem, we’re never going to look at ways to change things.
As far as the high blood pressure and the shortened, miserable lives you say we are leading, I can only speak for myself when I say that the information that has been revealed to me over the years has not made me miserable at all – rather, it has empowered me to live a joyful life because I know who I am and why I am here. Do you? I mean, aside from what it says on your business card and what you see when you look in the mirror, do you really know who you are?
Anyway, you keep on believing what you do and allow some of us to believe something different and we’ll do the same and everybody will be happy. There’s room for all of us on the planet.