One look at our lovely, large valley bottom lakes here in the Okanagan and you think there鈥檚 so much water.
But did you know that more water evaporates from our lakes every year due to our semi-arid climate than is replaced with rain or snow?
Our lake water started during the last ice age melt and is annually replenished from higher upland snowpacks, then passes through creeks and ground water.
Per capita, we use much more water than most other Canadians, because of our hot climate and landscaping, golf courses, orchards, ranches, wineries, etc., and wildfire fighting.
Thank goodness we have the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB). In the 1960s, the Okanagan had water pollution problems from poorly treated sewage effluent released into the lake, runoff from cattle yards, and toxins from insecticides. Thus the OBWB (obwb.ca) was instituted valley wide enabling water quality studies, monitoring and best water management practices.
We really need to take care of our water. Now that we鈥檙e nestled snug in our warm homes this November, it鈥檚 a great time to think about caring for our lakes from home.
You probably already know to turn off the tap to prevent clean water from going down the drain while brushing teeth or washing. I even turn off the shower while I scrub, then back on to rinse - no problem. I wash my dishes by hand, saving water as if I鈥檓 backpacking - again no problem.
No clean water is wasted down the drain. I catch rinse water in jugs in the sink or shower water as it鈥檚 warming up - this waters my houseplants. All this gives me a cheery sense of accomplishment by helping our environment. Water conservation is waterwise.
Check out okwaterwise.ca - tips, and home-water-works.org for easy, helpful practices that you can implement.
Now we鈥檙e challenged with new chemicals that can escape our water treatment facilities which still pumps effluent into our lakes. Per and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals" are highly toxic chemicals found in hundreds of everyday household products. These chemicals don鈥檛 decompose and can flow through the water cycle to soil, air, and even us.
PFAS in drinking water may increase cholesterol levels, change liver enzymes, and disrupt hormones. PFAS make products like food packaging, paper plates, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, dental floss, clothing and fire-fighting foams all water-, stain- and oil-repellent. Go to obwb.ca- choose Water Quality, then Endocrine Disruptors - read the sidebar for: Easy tips to greatly reduce unwanted chemicals in our lakes and our bodies. This is just a beginning. You can find more online.
Microplastics are hitting the news and being studied in Okanagan Lake.
Like forever chemicals, plastics don鈥檛 decompose; they become microplastics. Check out https://microplasticsokanagan.com/.
Help prevent microplastics from entering our lakes by avoiding synthetic clothing which sheds microplastic fibres when washed. Chose natural fibres and install microplastic-capturing devices for your washing machine. And of course avoid single-use disposable plastics like bags, straws, cutlery, foam food packaging, etc.
We鈥檒l keep our lakes lovely, clean and healthy if we stay aware and take care. And thank goodness for the OBWB.
Roseanne enthusiastically shares her knowledge of the outdoors to help readers experience and enjoy nature. Discover exciting and adventurous natural events, best trails, and wild places. Follow her on Facebook for more.
