Rivers day all about water

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Water was the focus if B.C. Rivers Day activities at Polson Park Sunday.

Janice Buick, with the Allan Brooks Nature Centre, organized the event that drew several hundred people to the Vernon park where they participated in games, activities, live music and learned how care for area water ways.

Among the activities was the yellow fish project.

“We paint yellow fish by the storm drains with elementary students,” said Buick. “It's to raise awareness that whatever goes into our the drain system goes directly into our water system.”

Buick said it is important to teach children while they are young.

“Water is a big issue and there are lots of different ways to protect our water,” she said.

Jennifer Miles, with Greater Vernon Water, said a recent study showed just how fast pollutants can get into the city's water supply.

“If there was a pollution spill, within two hours it could end up in our water supply,” said Miles.

Miles also stressed the importance of protecting Coldstream Creek as it is the primary source for 80 per cent of the water going into Kalamalka Lake.