We all need to do our part, to avoid contaminating our beautiful lakes.

Each of our properties is part of a larger landscape in our watershed.

So, hereÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s what you can do to help keep our lake water clean:

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Eliminate the use of toxic chemical fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides and herbicides.

Lawns are the worst. Never mow low - let it grow is becoming popular. 

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Landscape with native plants especially in riparian (land next to water) areas.

Why? These plants evolved in this hot, dry climate so require less water and no toxic chemicals while providing food and shelter for our native birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Use pavers for patios and driveways and gravel for walkways.

Why? Rainwater that runs along solid impervious surfaces like pavement, asphalt or concrete roads, driveways, sidewalks, etc. picks up and carries chemical pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, oil, grease, pet waste, detergents, and more depositing them into our lakes and waterways. Pavers and gravel allow water to filter through the soil to replenish groundwater supplies for plants and eventually streams, and help prevent flooding.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Collect roof rainwater from downspouts into barrels for watering.

Why? Protects erosion and saves on using processed tap water. In one year, you could collect thousands of litres of water from a typical Vernon roof.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Keep toxic chemical containers like sprayers, farm equipment, old vehicles, etc. away from waterbodies.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Support strong penalties for polluting our wasting water and ensure enforcement.

Establish neighbourhood water watch programs with quick and reliable action. Everyone works together for a safe, clean and healthy water supply. Water between dusk and dawn.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Let our mayor and city council, MLA, and MP know that you care about clean water and support more interventions and protections for our lakes.

For example - nearly all storm drains empty into local streams and our lakes untreated - yikes! Filter it!

DonÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™t allow dirty or chlorinated water to enter the storm drains (ie. sweep driveways and sidewalks - donÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™t hose down). Also, not all communities are metered - they should be!

Remember the water cycle! Water molecules continually transfer through air, soil, water, clouds, plants and animals. ThereÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s lots of neat illustrations online.

LetÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s care for and enjoy our lovely Okanagan lakes and keep its nature healthy.

Check out for more great tips.

Roseanne Van Ee enthusiastically shares her knowledge of the outdoors to help readers experience and enjoy nature. Follow her on Facebook for more, including parts one and two of this lake series.