Photo: RDOS

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has announced that Zoe Kirk, public works projects coordinator, has won the Canada-wide ‘Water’s Next’ Award for innovation and customer service.

The RDOS conducts a variety of water stewardship projects and workshops, but it was an in-house program that might have tipped the scales for this prestigious award.

Kirk is most proud of her involvement in the West Bench leak detection program, when she was the main force behind saving 400 litres of water per hour. The program was called “very innovative” by Water’s Next.

Kirk was involved in every part of the program, from identifying leaks in the system and holding workshops, as well as designing and distributing a leak detection package.

“I am humbled, and quite frankly, didn’t really believe it at first,” Kirk said. “I am honored to be the one named on the award, but these programs and outreach initiatives would not be possible without the support of the RDOS Board, funders and dedicated fellow workers in the Public Works and Engineering Department.”

Kirk has leveraged a modest budget into significant community engagement, leading communities through workshops and organizing many water-wise and water protection campaigns.

"Her passion for sharing what she has learned and developed is poured into every workshop or event she is present at, or hosting," said Lisa Bloomfield, engineering supervisor at RDOS. "Her down to earth and helpful attitude make her very successful when working with a diverse audience."

Promoting water conservation is not always an easy task, especially considering the Okanagan is a tourist destination, especially in the summer, the driest time of the year, according to Kirk.

"Visitors are not always mindful of conservation, and we don't have a big tax base for campaigns," she said.

Kirk credits her passion for environmental action to a variety of influences, including David Suzuki and Anna Warwick Sears, the executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board.