Cowichan Watershed Board

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • YouTube
MENUMENU
  • About
    • Indigenous Co-governance
    • Our Principles
    • Board Members
    • Staff Team
    • Non-Profit Society
    • Supporters (Coming Soon)
    • Contact Us
  • Targets
    • Water Quality
    • Estuary Health
    • Salmon Sustainability
    • Wise Water Use
    • Watershed IQ
    • Water Flows
    • Riparian Plants
    • Target Working Groups
  • Projects
    • River Cleanup
    • Koksilah
    • Twinned Watersheds Project
      • Riparian Plants
      • Indigenous Flows
      • Fish Habitats
      • Big Dancing Fish
    • Weir Ready
      • Weir Ready FAQ
    • Speakers Series
    • Past Projects (Coming Soon)
      • Water Challenge (Coming Soon)
      • Superheroes (Coming Soon)
  • Library
    • Board Meetings
    • Governance Documents
    • Maps
    • Media
    • Presentations
    • Videos
    • Reports
      • CWB Reports
      • Other Reports
    • All Library Items
  • Latest News
You are here: Home / content / Costumed hero urges Cowichan to become water conservation Avengers

Costumed hero urges Cowichan to become water conservation Avengers

July 17, 2014 by Jill Thompson

John McKinley, Cowichan News Leader, July 16 2014

A caped crusader has emerged to save Cowichan from the clutches of this summer's drought.

The kickoff to the Cowichan Water Challenge Saturday was interrupted by the arrival of a hero clad in blue tights.

No, Phil Kent wasn't doing his Clark Kent imitation, it was Water Woman with a message for all citizens of Cowichan.

"Since I left the valley many years ago I have travelled the world. I was in Australia when I heard a biologist mention the wonderful work the Cowichan Watershed Board was doing and the grave situation our great river is facing this year. When I heard that, I knew I had to come home," she said, striding purposefully out the doors of Duncan city hall.

"So I climbed into a bottle of Australian wine and eventually found myself here. In my travels I saw a similar situation to the one we have here and I learned from masters how a community can overcome challenges like this."

Local officials told her about how all Cowichan communities have been challenged to meet or beat Ladysmith's success in conservation. Water meters, volume based pricing, an aggressive leak detection and public education program,  rebates for low-flush toilets and early onset watering restrictions have resulted in a 25% reduction in water use there in the past decade, despite 23% growth.

She also heard how Lake Cowichan and Duncan are adding water metering, and how 'Water Warrior' and the 'Saving Some for the Salmon' lawn signs being offered people exhibiting heroic water conservation behaviour.

"That's a good start, but we need everyone pitching in," Water Woman said. "Starting today I am asking every resident of the Cowichan region to make a pledge to save water."

At her behest, gathered officials donned capes and went out into the streets asking people to pledge to: test toilets for leaks; wait for full load to run dishwashers/washing machines; let lawns go brown; turn off water when brushing teeth and rinsing dishes; respect watering restrictions, and mulch trees and garden plants.

"This is a really big job, I can't do it alone. Water Woman needs some side-kicks," she said. "Can I have some volunteers? We really need your help I am counting on all of you. Remember, Water Woman is watching you."

Learn more about the challenge here or at the Cowichan Watershed Board's Facebook page.

Source

Filed Under: content

Click image for more information

2023 RiverCleanup Poster

Click for more information

Click image for Board Meeting Agenda Packages

2023 CWB Members

2023 Cowichan Watershed Board members. Click image for Board Meeting Agenda Packages

Cowichan Lake Weir Updates (Click image)

Final Design Concept image

Cowichan Lake Weir Updates (Click image)

Why Fish Need Water

Latest News

  • Changing Conditions Force Difficult Decisions for Managing Cowichan River
  • Workers to pump water into Cowichan River amid drought
  • CBC Radio – On The Island Interview with Tom Rutherford -Cowichan River water levels.
  • Prolonged drought, low flows behind mass fish kill on Cowichan River, says DFO

Sign up for E-News!

Board Meeting Notifications

Event Notifications

CWB Website

Home
About Us
Contact
Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan
Documents & Presentations
Privacy
Terms

Targets

Water Quality
Estuarine Health
Salmon Sustainability
Water Use
Watershed IQ
Water Supply
Riparian Area Protection

Cowichan Watershed

Introduction
Cowichan Lake
Quamichan & Somenos Lakes
Cowichan Estuary
The Weir

Logo Email

info@cowichanwatershedboard.ca

Mailing Address
4335 Riverside Road
Duncan, BC, V9L 6M8

Copyright © 2023 Cowichan Watershed Board - All Rights Reserved. | Design by MAC5

sponsor logo
The Cowichan Watershed Board (CWB) gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the above organizations.