Celebrating World Water Day on March 22, FNHA recognizes that water is an integral part of life, community and well-being. To help celebrate water, in August 2016, FNHA launched “Our Community, Our Water” water awareness grant funding in support of community-led events to help protect and celebrate the importance of water, particularly drinking water, in community.

This year, 23 communities, representing all five regions, participated. Communities were asked to share how they would stage a fun and educational event highlighting drinking water that would meet community needs and involve all members of the community. A wide variety of events were organized by community health representatives, community-based water monitors (CBWM) and allied staff who also facilitated planning, marketing and delivering each event.

FNHA’s Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and technicians have been on hand at many events to deliver presentations on community water systems, source water protection, treatment of drinking water and the role of an EHO in community as it relates to drinking water.

Dan Manuel, Director of Community Services for Upper Nicola Band, stated, “[The event was] beneficial because community members need to be educated on where our water comes from and how it is treated before members get it to their homes.”

Comments from the Canoe Creek First Nation event included that “people understand how our water is treated and the process it goes through. Many said they are less likely to buy and drink bottled water” and that the event was “very beneficial to educate the community that [Stswecem'c Xgat'tem/Canoe Creek First Nation] has good, clean drinking water. Great opportunity to show them where it comes from and treatment it undergoes to make it drinkable.”

Toosey First Nation also held an event, which provided an opportunity for the community to get more information on their new water treatment plant. “[With] the new technology with Toosey water plant, it was phenomenal to see how the system works,” said Teresa Johnny, Health Director. FNHA and other partners were on hand to explain how the new technology works as part of Toosey’s water awareness event.

The “Our Community, Our Water” grant opportunity providesa way to enhance community understanding and preservation of drinking water sources and also highlight the work of members of community, including CBWMs and Water Treatment Plant Operators, in providing safe drinking water.

While reflecting on World Water Day, the Drinking Water Safety Program at the FNHA looks forward to continuing to partner on enhanced programming with community. To find out more about the “Our Community, Our Water” grant, please contact Dylan Rose, Environmental Health Program Officer, at (604) 693-6979 or visit the FNHA website here.

Photography:

(1) Neil Kane, Environmental Health Technician presenting a ground water model at Nicomen First Nation

(2) Dan Colgate, Chief Francis Laceese (Toosey), George (FNHA), Don Sparks (Toosey Water), Gina Johnny (Toosey Band Councillor) and Unidentified Participant at Toosey First Nation’s new Water Treatment Plant