Developing a BC Water Science Strategy
As we celebrate Canada Water Week in anticipation of World Water Day, in today’s blog post we focus on Water Science. Water Science is an essential tool to help build towards a sustainable future. Today’s post focuses on the BC Water Science Symposium and a local water science champion!
Held in August 2010, the BC Water Symposium marked the beginning of the dialogue to create a Water Science Strategy. Over 200 people participated in the Symposium that was simulcast online and at locations in Prince George, Victoria, and Kelowna. This Symposium brought together a diverse group of leading experts that both create and use knowledge to manage water resources. The Symposium Proceedings are now available here.
What we heard at the Water Symposium will be used to inform the development of the Water Science Strategy. Not surprisingly, it is also consistent with the comments received to date as part of the Water Act Modernization and will also be considered as we move forward in developing the proposed Water Sustainability Act.
As a next step, the Ministry of Environment will facilitate the development of a draft Water Science Strategy framework which will be available for your comment in the summer of 2011.
Today’s Water champion Jody Watson is one of the most dedicated water sustainability advocates we’ve met. Not only does she work on projects applying water science to practical uses, like green roofs in her day job, but she volunteers her after hours time with water protection and sustainability projects.
“Traditionally, rainwater was treated as a waste to be removed from the landscape as quickly as possible” Jody says. “Future development will use more vegetated features, such as green roofs and boulevard raingardens, to manage rainwater and to better mimic the natural water cycle in the urban environment”.
She continues “Healthy watersheds help create healthy communities. Everyone lives in a watershed and can do their part. At work I have championed the installation of green roof and living wall features to reduce the amount of rainwater entering the storm system and the harbour environment. At home I have planted native plants (which are adapted to our summer droughts) in place of a front lawn and I am starting to harvest rainwater to use in my garden ”.
Hats off to you Jody!
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Can you explain how Australia changed its water rules to basically mirror what is being proposed for bc. They never meant to commoditize water. They could not stop the slide they created with the new rules and now most water in australia is privately owned. There is something about this in Council of Canadians website. Why is it that Government assures the public that its concerns will not come to fruition only to very often have that very thing happen? People have a healthy distrust of government led agenda for very good reason. The people do not want tradeable water under any form.
All this talk of water stewardship is great, BUT you promoted the Carbon Tax which is just giving more money to the oil industry, You have sold water rights to a bunch of companies, and people do not trust you or your beliefs. I live in the Kootenay Boundary district, Rock Creek, and have a well. I am charged $25.00 for water, WHY? you never drilled the well, you did not run the pipes, you do not fix it. You do not test my water, you want to allow Big White to take water out of the river, you allowed a lot of preliminary mining for Uranium. that pollutes the water. Please explain why we would trust you in any way.
You allow the Fraser river to be used as a heat sink for industry, Alcan has never fulfilled the original contract. you do nothing!
John, Thanks for your comment. Building trust and relationships is a key part of why we are engaging on Water Act modernization. To help earn the trust of British Columbians we’ve been trying to make this process as inclusive and transparent as possible. For example we’ve been providing a range of opportunities for involvement such as face-to-face workshops, a discussion paper, policy proposal, YouTube videos and this Blog. We’ve also made all public submissions available online for all to see. All this input is helping inform draft legislation which the public will have an opportunity to review next year.