On the heels of last summer91裸聊视频檚 extreme drought, and with the possibility of another one this summer, valley mayors gathered this morning to challenge each other and their residents to conserve water in what is known as Canada91裸聊视频檚 most water-stressed region. It was all part of the launch of the Okanagan91裸聊视频檚 annual valley-wide outdoor water conservation campaign 91裸聊视频淢ake Water Work.91裸聊视频�

Make Water Work is an initiative of the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB)91裸聊视频檚 Okanagan WaterWise program, developed and delivered in partnership with local governments and utilities throughout the valley.

91裸聊视频淲e had a healthy high elevation snowpack this winter, but we also had an early warm spring which caused much of it to melt quickly,91裸聊视频� noted Okanagan Basin Water Board Chair and West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater. 91裸聊视频淎t the same time, fire season has come early in Western Canada and we91裸聊视频檝e have had enough experience with devastating fires in the Okanagan to know we can91裸聊视频檛 waste our water.

91裸聊视频淚f we don91裸聊视频檛 get our spring rains, we could end up in the same situation we were in last year, where the province orders utilities and residents to cut back on water use in an effort to meet socio-economic and environmental needs,91裸聊视频� added Findlater.

91裸聊视频淟ast year91裸聊视频檚 experience with drought 91裸聊视频� and previous drought years 91裸聊视频� has shown us the importance of working together in the Okanagan on water conservation efforts, where the water is all connected. As the Mayor of West Kelowna I91裸聊视频檓 proud to personally take the Make Water Work Challenge 91裸聊视频� doing my part to get the most out of the water I use and conserve, starting with making sure to water plants, not pavement. And, I challenge residents to also conserve, saving water for what matters most 91裸聊视频� food crops, fish and firefighting.91裸聊视频�

Mayors and their representatives from throughout the Okanagan then joined Findlater and took the challenge, throwing it out to their fellow residents to do the same. Although the conservation message is a serious one, the community that gathers the most pledges per capita is also named Make Water Work Champion. This was not lost on last year91裸聊视频檚 winner, the City of Armstrong.

91裸聊视频淭he City of Armstrong was very proud to have been named last year91裸聊视频檚 Make Water Work Champion,91裸聊视频� said that city91裸聊视频檚 mayor, Chris Pieper. 91裸聊视频淭he challenge was well-received by our residents who saw that they had a role in helping conserve water, especially during last summer91裸聊视频檚 drought.

91裸聊视频淚 think the awareness generated through the Make Water Work program has really helped bring attention to the value of water in our valley and right here at home, in Armstrong.  We intend to defend our title this year and issue a challenge to Peachland to meet the standard we91裸聊视频檝e set,91裸聊视频� he added with a chuckle.

In addition to mayors taking and issuing challenges at today91裸聊视频檚 event, OBWB91裸聊视频檚 Communications Director Corinne Jackson announced the expansion of the Make Water Work Plant Collection, just in time for spring gardening. The collection, premiered last year, is a project co-developed by Okanagan WaterWise, the Okanagan Xeriscape Association, and Bylands Nursery to encourage low-water landscapes.

91裸聊视频淭his year the collection has been expanded to include 54 plants, including beautiful grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees, perfect for the dry Okanagan climate,91裸聊视频� explained Jackson. 91裸聊视频淎s well, two new garden centres have joined the program, bringing the total to nine, ensuring nearly all Okanagan residents can walk into a garden centre in their community and find the Make Water Work collection, making it easier than ever to find WaterWise choices for their yard.91裸聊视频�

Also, as in past years, those who take the challenge and pledge to Make Water Work will be entered to win several prizes including a Grand Prize of a WaterWise yard upgrade worth $6,000, thanks to contest partners KelownaGardens.com, ProSource Irrigation, Bylands and, Eco Turf Farms.

Residents can take the challenge, find the Make Water Work Plant Collection and water restrictions for their community, by visiting .

Those joining Findlater and Pieper in taking the challenge today included: Vernon Acting Mayor Juliette Cunningham, Acting Mayor for Lake Country Rob Geier, City of Kelowna Deputy Mayor Gail Given, Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin, Summerland Acting Mayor Toni Boot, Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes and Osoyoos Deputy Mayor CJ Rhodes.