The Regional District of Nanaimo’s Drinking Water and WatershedThe geographic area of land that drains water to a shared destination. The boundary is determined topographically by ridges, or high elevation points. Water flows downhill, so mountains and ridge tops define watershed boundaries. Protection (DWWPDrinking Water & Watershed Protection program - Through the RDN's DWWP, we are working to learn more about water in the Region, use this information to make better land use decisions, and help communities protect the environment. The DWWP is supported by the City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, and the RDN’s seven electoral areas. Learn more at dwwp.ca) program earned recognition as a finalist for this year’s Water’s Next Awards, hosted by Water Canada, for our outstanding accomplishments in the Early Adopter Project category!

We were runner-up to the winners in that category, Water Rangers, announced on June 20th at the Water’s Next Award gala in Vancouver.

What makes the RDN an early adopter is the implementation of a program that addresses drinking water and watershedThe geographic area of land that drains water to a shared destination. The boundary is determined topographically by ridges, or high elevation points. Water flows downhill, so mountains and ridge tops define watershed boundaries. protection through regional coordination of water managementA framework to enable water planning, allocation and Framework management of water resources. initiatives across jurisdictions, employing collaboration with many partners on a watershedThe geographic area of land that drains water to a shared destination. The boundary is determined topographically by ridges, or high elevation points. Water flows downhill, so mountains and ridge tops define watershed boundaries./aquiferA geological formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs. scale. This proactive investment in generating a strong understanding of regional water resources in order to support land use, infrastructure and development decisions that provide for a resilient and economically prosperous region is unique in all of BC. To learn more about the program efforts and accomplishments, see www.dwwpDrinking Water & Watershed Protection program - Through the RDN's DWWP, we are working to learn more about water in the Region, use this information to make better land use decisions, and help communities protect the environment. The DWWP is supported by the City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, and the RDN’s seven electoral areas. Learn more at dwwp.ca.ca.

Every year, Water Canada’s Water’s Next awards program honours the incredible achievements and ideas of individuals and organizations that successfully work to make a positive change to water in our country and abroad. This year there were 59 nominations and 34 finalists.

Check out the other finalists and award winners at the Water’s Next website watersummit.ca/waters-next/.