The Arrowsmith Watersheds Coalition Society hopes to raise concern about local drinking water sources with a special presentation at their AGM on Thursday.
“The main goal is to highlight the importance the need for local control of our water, make sure it stays in the hands of the community rather than bureaucrats or higher up politicians,” said society director Michael Jessen.
They will host a free talk by Nanaimo filmmaker Paul Manly with material from his recent documentaries on water. He will show portions of his most recent film Voices of the River about the Nanaimo River watershed and Troubled Waters to examine the threat to public water systems and watersheds on Vancouver Island.
Privatization, public private partnerships, privately owned community watersheds and ground water contamination and international trade agreements will also be discussed.
as threats to the safety and security of public water and the fundamental human right to access clean drinking water.
Jessen pointed out these issues are all the more important in light of the recent dryspell across much of B.C.
The evening starts with the presentation at 7 p.m., Oct. 18 at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre, followed by a refreshment break and the business of the AGM.