Last year with my environmental education class we visited a few places that showed us the journey of our tap water. We wanted to find out where it came from and where it went when we flushed it “down”.  First we headed up to the Seymour Reservoir in North Vancouver, which supplies about a third of the region’s drinking water. We enjoyed the crisp air, admired huge Sitka spruce, and contemplated the amazing lifecycle of salmon.

Next we visited our water at the other end of the drain. We toured the largest water treatment plant in the Lower Mainland on Annacis Island and blinked hard when we learned how much water flows through the plant each day. Finally, we walked our water back to the ocean on the path that straddles the pipe at Iona Point.

When I tried to piece it together later, there were still some parts missing in my mind. If I mapped my water’s path underneath the city, what would it look like? What goes in to the transportation of my water? What is lost and added along the way? What is the full impact of sending this polluted-then-somewhat-treated fresh water back to the ocean?

Hoping that you feel special this Valentines Day!

* I know, I know, some of the tasty friends featured above are not actually vegetables.

Good things happen when someone else packs your lunch.

Thanks, M.

Skytrain wind > Bus wind

Hot One Inch Action chose my submission for their Portland show, but since I cannot attend, I received my 20 buttons in the mail today.

This button certifies that you are a member of the Seagull Patrol and that you are a committed citizen against french fry thievery (this is a big issue in Vancouver, I swear.)

Here is unbuttonified image:

Some buttons:

If you happen to be in Portland, check out the event on November 2nd at Hand Eye Supply. More information here and here!