OVID JACKSON, MP Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, on behalf of the Federal Government EcoAction Community Funding program today presented a cheque for $14,000 to the Walkerton Healthy Community Initiative. The funding is to launch the "Water, Water, Everywhere Campaign", a water quality protection project for rural residents.

The Water, Water, Everywhere project is a pilot project of the Green Communities Association's Water, Water, Everywhere campaign. The pilot will conducted by Peterborough Green-up (Stoney Lake), The Walkerton Healthy Community Initiative, Environmental Network of Collingwood, and Kasshabog Resident's Association (Crowe Valley). These projects are complimentary and will be used to further develop a model for province-wide implementation in 2002. Conducting the pilot in multiple communities will provide each proponent opportunities for joint skills development, peer-networking, partnership development, evaluation, and building strategies for province-wide implementation.

Organizing a community to take action at the household level is a powerful approach to environmental improvement. Our communities are the largest scale at which most of us feel personally connected and capable of direct, meaningful participation. They are also the smallest scale at which it is possible to mobilize the resources needed for a major initiative.

Each component of the project will provide information and stimulate positive action on key issues such as:
· identifying poor water quality
· detecting existing and potential problems
· protecting wellheads
· implementing septic system best management practices
· improving and protecting riparian (shoreline, wetlands, streambanks) zones
· conserving water
· evaluating and promoting effective alternative human waste systems (e.g. composting toilets, grey water treatments)
· testing water quality
· reducing use of toxic substances and proper disposal of   household hazardous waste
· engaging in neighborhood and community action
· addressing specific local issues, cultural practices and behaviors
· evaluating household water treatment systems

The goal is to improve rural water quality in Walkerton and protect this valuable resource from contamination at its source by building awareness among the rural population of the need for water protection through individual landowner action and stewardship. Providing expertise for troubleshooting common contamination sources and solutions will aid the home owner in doing so.

In April 2002, a rural water advisor will be hired to conduct 100 home visits in the Walkerton area. It will be the responsibility of the rural water advisor to help the home owner identify water problems and implement solutions. The first step in this process is to secure 250 signed pledges from our citizens indicating their commitment to take action, as well as 1000 rural water quality information kits which will include information on each of the key issues will be distributed. Water protection clinics will be set up to provide information on key issues and identify local strategies for actions.