York Region celebrates World Water Day

 

NEWMARKET – On Thursday, March 22nd, York Region joins communities from around the globe in celebrating World Water Day.  World Water Day is a unique occasion to raise awareness about international water usage. The theme of this year's campaign is "Coping with Water Scarcity."

 

As part of local celebrations, York Region Health Services and the York Region Transportation and Works Department, with participation from the Water for Tomorrow initiative, have invited two local elementary schools to the Georgina Water Treatment Plant.  Children will learn about drinking water from local, regional and international perspectives. 

 

Where: Georgina Water Treatment Plant - 27135 Kennedy Road, Willow Beach, Georgina

 

When:  Thursday, March 22, 2007, 8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

 

Who:             St. Bernadette's Catholic Elementary School and Lakeside Public School

 

Approximately 60 elementary school children from Keswick will have the opportunity to tour the Georgina Water Treatment Plant and learn where their water comes from and how it is treated before it arrives at their homes.

 

The children will continue through the morning with two additional sessions on Water in Developing Nations and Water Conservation.  The children will see how a lack of protected water sources and poor sanitary conditions contribute to illness in developing countries.  The final session with Water for Tomorrow will concentrate on how we can conserve water in our daily lives, in order to protect this vital natural resource.

 

The children will each be sent home with a bag of resources and products promoting water conservation and protection.

 

Below are some simple tips you can implement immediately for preserving water quality:

 

• Dispose of household chemicals properly. Do not dispose of them down the drain or toilet
• Reduce or eliminate pesticides and other chemicals used on your lawn
• Clean up after your pets and observe local stoop and scoop by-laws

 

For more information on World Water Day visit the Web site at www.worldwaterday.org

 

For more information on this or other health-related questions, contact York Region Health Services Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or visit www.york.ca

 

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Media Contact: Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson, York Region Health Services
905-830-4444 Ext. 4016 or after-hours pager (905) 830-3302
Email: jennifer.mitchellemmerson@york.ca