Editors Note: We are very pleased to share this news article that was published October 20, 2016 in the Lethbridge Herald. It concerns one of our new initiatives - a Water Charter for Southern Alberta. Happy Reading!
By Melissa Villeneuve, Lethbridge Herald
mvilleneuve@lethbridgeherald.com
The United Nations recognizes access to safe and clean drinking water as a basic human right and necessary to the full enjoyment of life. In southern Alberta, the Oldman Watershed Council hopes to unite municipalities and organizations to protect the local water supply.
On Monday, Lethbridge City Council agreed to add their name to a Southern Alberta Water Charter proposed by the OWC. Signing the charter pledges action and commitment to the betterment of the health of the Oldman watershed.
OWC representatives also presented council with copies of three videos created to educate, inspire and motivate the community in regards to environmental responsibility with local water. Council provided $5,000 towards the film project. “These three videos were done so the OWC can get its message out about municipal watershed management health, in collaboration with the City of Lethbridge,” said Anna Garleff, OWC’s communications specialist.
The videos cover the science of watershed management, a kids video with tips and tricks on becoming a better water steward and a public video filmed with a GoPro camera. Garleff said they were encouraged council endorsed the charter.
One of the videos features Anna Garleff, OWC Communications Specialist, and Doug Kaupp, City of Lethbridge General Manager of Water and Wastewater, discussing the science behind Lethbridge's innovative wastewater treatment plant.
“Those guys are phenomenal. They stepped up to the plate for the film project immediately and became collaborative partners,” she said. “But it’s not enough to make the videos. We have to follow through to make sure they get used, that they get seen, and in order to do that, that’s why we’re also following up with a water charter.”
The OWC will present their water charter proposal to county reeves and mayors on Nov. 4. Garleff hopes to gather endorsement of the charter from “every municipality and county as well.”
Southern Alberta Water Charter activities will run from May through September 2017, with an awards celebration at the end.
To learn more and view the videos, there will be a special SACPA session from 7-9 p.m. on Nov. 23 in the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery. The videos will also be uploaded soon to the website at oldmanwatershed.ca.
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http://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2016/10/20/city-signs-water-charter/
