Current events

Okanagan WaterWise presents...

HERE ARE OUR TOP 5 AQUAHACKERS!
Find the news release, with results, here.

Some 20 teams pitched their tech solutions to some of B.C.'s most critical freshwater issues on Sat. March 21 during a virtual event.
The water issues, defined right here in the Okanagan, included:
- Contaminants in Storm Water
- Invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels
- Flood Damage and Risks
- Outdoor Water Use
- Potable Water in Indigenous Communities

The finalists are:
- Atlantis (from UBC Vancouver, University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University): Issue – flood risk.
- Ozero (Sherbrooke University - Quebec): Issue - invasive mussels.
- Elite (UBC Okanagan - Kelowna): Issue - stormwater contamination.
- Hydrodynamic Labs (UBC Okanagan - Kelowna): Issue - stormwater contamination.
- Agricultural Decision Support (University of Victoria and Queens University - Toronto): Issue - stormwater contamination.

The five teams will now compete for $50,000 in cash prizes and a spot in a business incubator, taking their solution from idea to market!

Check out their pitches on our Facebook Live event at https://bit.ly/BC-AH_semi-final_FBLive.

Interested in learning more? Visit here!

POSTPONED: “Brave Blue World” – film screening and water panel discussion

Please find our news release here regarding the postponing of this event.

Come celebrate Canada Water Week-UN World Water Day!  The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB)'s Okanagan WaterWise welcomes you to a special screening of “Brave Blue World” on March 19, hosted with UBC’s Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES).

The film, narrated by Liam Neeson and featuring  Matt Damon, co-founder of Water. org, tells the inspiring story of people and projects around the world, tackling various water challenges, including water contamination, wastewater, water scarcity, and more. This year's film also aligns nicely with our hosting of the B.C. AquaHacking Challenge 2020, a program that engages young professionals to develop new tech solutions to address local water issues (and which has its semi-final two days after this event, on March 21, also at UBCO).

Following the 50 minute film, join us for a panel discussion and Q&A with:
- Anna Warwick Sears, OBWB Executive Director
- Don Dobson, senior water resources engineer with Dobson Engineering
- Tessa Terbasket, Natural Resources Research and Policy Coordinator with Okanagan Nation Alliance  
- Nicolas Peleato, UBCO’s School of Engineering assistant professor

Following the Q&A, join us for some light refreshments and visit with local organizations that will have displays showcasing some of the work underway to address our water issues and how you can get involved.

Watch a trailer for the film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rajZBWFH1Q.

WHAT: Brave Blue World – film screening and water panel discussion
WHERE: UBC Okanagan, 3287 University Way, Kelowna - Commons Classroom (COM 201)
WHEN: Thurs., March 19, 7:15 PM – 9:30 PM (Registration and doors open at 6:45 PM)
MORE DETAILS & TICKETS: http://braveblueworld-okanagan.eventbrite.ca

Rain Barrel Sale Returns for Central Okanagan residents

Spring is just around the corner! Time to think about WaterWise gardening!

We are pleased to, once again, partner with the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s Waste Reduction Office, selling rain barrels and composters for a limited time, until March 31.

Only 200 are available with a limit of two per household.

Click here to download the Composter & Rain Barrel Sale Poster (PDF)

Sale details at regionaldistrict.com/compostersale.

This sale is for Central Okanagan residents only. However, for those more DIY-inclined, check out this popular build-your-own rain barrel video created with Regional District of North Okanagan:  http://youtu.be/K2qoLtvTYN0.