Play your part in developing BC’s innovative Water Science Strategy and help secure and manage our fresh water supply for future generations! Connected live through 3 locations, this event will be a mix of break‐out discussions, plenary talks, panel discussions, networking breaks, public lectures and poster receptions. Come connect with BC’s leading scientists!

**EDIT – RSVP to the Symposium on the BC Environmental Management Page on Facebook **

It’s been nearly seven weeks since the deadline for formal submissions to Water Act Modernization passed. Our team has been hard at work reviewing, analyzing and championing your contributions.  The process of incorporating a wide-ranging discussion into the modernized Water Act requires both care and due diligence. Part of that care is making sure we’ve heard from everyone who sent in a submission.

If you sent in a submission via email fax or letter, you should have received a response both acknowledging that we’ve heard from you, and thanking  you for your contribution. If you haven’t received a follow-up email or letter, please either email us, or give us a call at 250.387.4737.

There will be much more in the coming days and weeks on the next steps in the Water Act Modernization process, including the release of our Report on Engagement – the record of what we’ve heard from British Columbians.  Stay tuned!

Chimney Lakes, part of the Chimney Creek watershed in the Cariboo region is now on advance notice for possible water restrictions in the very near future. This watershed has had far less than normal snowpack levels – making it a Drought Level 2 Area. It is pretty dry around there and, unless there is significant rainfall in the coming weeks, use limits may be required to get by.  Currently, Environment Minister Barry Penner is urging voluntary water conservation by all in the Cariboo. Proactive, voluntary, conservation can do a great deal to help ensuring that all in the watershed have enough water.  

One of the ways to stay connected to the latest news about water is to “Like” the BC Environmental Management page on Facebook. In the coming weeks we’re hoping to connect with you more using the Province’s new channels to stay connected. In cases of drought, timely information is essential to successfully managing the impacts.  Facebook, and other social media channels like Twitter and the Living Water Smart blog enable timely, conversational interactions which help us work together in managing British Columbia’s water resources. 

The impacted area

The Ministry of Environment has some fantastic information on how to effectively manage when water supplies are low and is developing a Drought Response Plan to guide government actions in the coming months. There are tips for agricultural users as well as residential ones. In the meantime, here’s a pretty straightforward tip – if you want to conserve water in a way that’s really effective, don’t water your lawn.