Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1341 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Norlin, JI and Adams, M. 2009. Drinking water source protection in the Okanagan Valley. Environmental Health Review. Spring 2009 6-13. |
| Organization | Interior Health |
| URL | http://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/DrinkingWater/Documents/Norlin%20and%20Adams%202008%20Article.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | Safe, clean, and reliable tap water is essential for the prosperity and health of all communities in the Okanagan Valley. A multiple-barrier approach is the best means of addressing the numerous challenges to supplying safe drinking water in this fast growing, water limited region of British Columbia. A multiplebarrier approach recognizes and applies efforts at all points where risks to drinking water and public health can be reduced. Source protection is a core element of the multiple-barrier approach. As is the case for most regions in British Columbia, the needs of Okanagan communities make exclusion of human activity and dedication of entire watersheds for the sole purpose of providing drinking water typically unfeasible. Thus, successful source protection for most hinges on integrated watershed management to control potential threats to drinking water and public health. The ultimate vision is that everyone (including water suppliers, industry, land-use agencies, and the public) has the information and opportunity they need to be empowered stakeholders in management of drinking water sources. Collaborative efforts of water suppliers, government, and other watershed stakeholders have resulted in improvements. However, without source-to-tap water system assessments to characterize health risks and support a comprehensive approach to drinking water management efforts to protect drinking water sources in the Okanagan will undoubtedly fall short. source water protection |
| Information Type | article |
| Regional Watershed | Okanagan |
| Sub-watershed if known | |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | Ivor Norlin |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |