Water Caucus - Happenings

 

DSCN0357.JPG

EVENTS and OPPORTUNITIES:

Contact Sacha at sacha@mbeconetwork.org or 943-0318 for details.

EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES
1. Manitoba Eco-Network water caucus meeting: Tues, Feb 23, MEN Boardroom, Wpg
Guest Speaker: Vivek Voora, IISD “Building Capacity for Multipurpose Land and Water investment in the Red River Basin” This presentation explores how investments in ecological infrastructure, such as preserving wetlands, can perform many critical water control functions, often at less cost than traditional investments. This will provide a tool for municipalities to explore the costs and benefits of alternatives and to develop the best mix of ecological and traditional infrastructure. RSVP required.

2. Manitoba Eco-Network day-long workshop “Water Conservation and Beyond...!”
Friday, March 19 at Crossways and Common, 222 Furby St. Winnipeg.
Guest speakers on water conservation from personal to municipal levels include:

Steven Renzetti, Professor of Economics, Brock University– “Water Pricing and Conservation”

Laura Allen, Greywater Action (California) "Recycling household water: greywater for beginners"

Kevin Freedman – “How You Can Be an Example of Conserving Water at Home: The 25L Month Long Challenge"

Dr. Mary LeMaître, Water Watch - "Protecting public water in Winnipeg"

Meeghan Gavin, MEN Water Stewardship Liason – “Household Water Audits and Social Marketing Solutions to Change Water Habits”

Free registration, deadline March 12


3. There is an online petition available to express concerns about the selection by City Council of one of three private companies for a private partnership with the city on our Waste Water facilities.  Also at this link is information about the track records of the companies being considered.
 
4.  A sample letter to advocate to Provincial MLA's regarding the Municipal Corporate Water/Waste Utility has been posted by the Polaris Institute.  

5. DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR FIRST INTAKE OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2010 ENVIRONMENTAL FARM ACTION PROGRAM

6.  Lake Winnipeg salon invitation Jan 29 (CYRK Wpg)

7. Bottled Water Free Day:  March 11, 2010  Sign up now!!!

8.  Join the Water Challenge – pledge to live on 25L a day for a month!   This project started here in Winnipeg and is now going international!

9.  Uncharted Waters is an interdisciplinary conference that aims to bridge the gap between academia and activism, connecting youth to those already dedicated to working towards the necessary solutions for a soft-path water future. March 26-28, 2010 at McGill University

10. Water Forum for North End residents Feb 6

11. Ask questions and provide comments on the new Draft of Revised Sewer By-law Feb 9 or 10

NEWS
12.  In February, City Hall will select one of three private companies to become a partner in our Waste Water Services. The company chosen would receive up to 49% shares in our waste water services and would design, construct, finance, and operate our water treatment plants.

13. “Prairie Water Directive suggests water policy” – Western Producer Dec 30/09

14. Navigable waters: Federal regulation to exempt some projects, some waters from protection; Waterkeeper outlines their recommendations on the new act

RESOURCES

Hear Maude Barlow’s recent speech at U of W against privatization of Wpg’s water services
Maude's speech as broadcast September 23rd on CKUW 95.9 FM is available here.