WC132 SeptOct 2023 - Magazine - Page 5
EDITOR’S NOTE
Every drop counts
PROJECTS l POLICY l INNOVATION
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 • VOLUME 23 NUMBER 5
EDITOR
Jen Smith
CONTENT DIRECTOR
Corinne Lynds
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
John Tenpenny, Connie Vitello
ART DIRECTOR AND SENIOR DESIGNER
Gordon Alexander
CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS
Julie Abouchar, Aaron Atcheson, Nandita B. Basu,
Erica Bodie, Stephen Braun, Saul Chernos,
Seyyed Mohammadreza Davoodi, Nancy Goucher,
Darren Kautz, Laura Klein, Kayla Romanow,
Amanda Schrack
WATER CANADA ADVISORY BOARD
Stephen Braun, Melissa Dick, Gregary Ford,
Jon Grant, Robert Haller, Linda Li,
Michael Lywood, Eric Meliton, Ranin Nseir,
Terry Rees, Emily Stahl
ADVERTISING
Jackie Pagaduan jackie@actualmedia.ca
DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER
Charlotte Stone
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
Sarah Wensley
PRESIDENT
Todd Latham
PUBLISHER
Nick Krukowski
ADVISOR
James Sbrolla
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MY FAMILY AND I spent a blissful week along the shores of
Lake Huron. We boated and fished and cliff-jumped (not me, of
course, but my intrepid 12-year-old did). We bird-watched and
rock-hunted and ate our collective weight in potato chips, each
splash and peal of laughter echoing off the rocks—a symphony of
summer memories that will fuel our fast-approaching cold winter evenings.
It was both inspiring and exhausting in the best ways possible.
One day, after watching our dog eagerly lapping up water straight from
the lake, my daughter asked: “If the dog can drink this and not get sick,
does it mean the lake water is safe for us too?” I thought about it for a moment. It was a pretty complex question and I had no idea how to answer it.
Because the reality is that the answer isn’t a comforting “yes.” It’s a complicated one. Sitting along the shores of Lake Huron, feeling dwarfed by its
vastness, it’s easy to believe that fresh, drinkable water is everywhere. Yet,
not far from my rocky perch, many First Nations communities who should
benefit from these freshwater sources grapple with basic access to safe drinking water (p.12).
Even in bustling cities, we are not immune to questions about drinking
water safety. Reports of asbestos lurking in water pipes juxtapose the reassurances from municipalities, reflecting those deeper, unresolved issues in
our national perspectives on water. Our most basic necessity has become a
litmus test for infrastructure, governance, and indeed, our societal values.
Tying these seemingly disparate threads together, what emerges is a portrait of a nation actively wrestling with its relationship with water. And as
we celebrate the innovations (p.8) and strides forward (p.27), we must also
confront our collective failures.
It’s imperative that Canada addresses the stark water disparity experienced by First Nations communities. It isn’t merely a matter of installing
filters or fixing pipelines. It’s a commitment to acknowledging historical
inequities and working collaboratively to ensure that every Canadian,
irrespective of their heritage or dwelling, can access clean and safe water. In
the same way, it’s not enough to simply ensure water reaches every home;
its quality must be paramount. We need a unified front—city councils,
community organizations, and concerned citizens—to address, educate, and
rectify any potential hazards.
Reflecting on my daughter’s question, I’m reminded that it’s more than
just about the water. It’s about the legacy we’re shaping for her and those
who come after her. As Canadians, our relationship with water isn’t just
environmental—it’s profoundly emotional, deeply historical. And our
shared promise must ensure that every child’s innocent question about
water’s safety gets a confident and resounding yes—from every shore and tap
across Canada.
Jen Smith is the editor of Water Canada. jen@actualmedia.ca
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WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
WATER C AN ADA • SEP TEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
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