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Is our drinking water at risk?

A free Public Talk, sponsored by the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, the David Suzuki Foundation, and with support from the RBC Foundation – Blue Water Project

Clean drinkable water is life. It is vital to our survival.  Most Canadians take water for granted. We think we have lots of it and it will always be there.Less than 3% of municipally-treated water is actually used for drinking. The average adult drinks only about 1.5 litres of water per day, and that includes water used in drinks such as coffee, tea and juice The rest goes down the drain, down the toilet, or on our gardens.

On April 7th, from 6 – 9 pm, the Ottawa public is invited to a free panel discussion at the Canadian Museum of Nature, with four scientists speaking from four different perspectives to “Is our drinking water at risk?”

Could pharmaceuticals and personal care products that are flushed down the toilet end up in our drinking water?
Dr. Chris Mecalfe, Trent University,

How can the new design and performance of today’s and tomorrow’s water and wastewater treatment processes protect public health and our drinking water?
Dr. Banu Örmeci, Carleton University

Is there a better way of managing our drinking water resources?
Dr David Brooks, internationally recognized speaker and author will speak about the “soft path” – water management at the local, community level.

How does human behaviour work into the equation of water use and water management?
Dr. Paul Kay, University of Waterloo.

This panel discussion is the first in a series of cross Canada discussions on the topic “Is our Drinking water at risk?” The series is hosted by the Royal Canadian Institute for Science in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation. The series aims to boost the public’s awareness and understanding of science and of how scientists work.

The panel discussion will be held at the
Canadian Museum of Nature, Theatre, 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa

Doors open at 6 pm.

Panel Discussion 7:00– 8:15 pm. with a Question and Answer session moderated by Alan Neal, CBC Radio 1’s All in a Day and followed by a networking social hour with a cash bar.

Tickets are free and available by registering online at Eventbrite.
This event is made possible with the generous support of the RBC Foundation – Blue Water Project .

The RBC Blue Water Project is a historic, wide-ranging, 10-year global commitment to help protect the world’s most precious natural resource: fresh water. Since 2007, RBC has pledged nearly $41 million to more than 700 charitable organizations worldwide that protect water, with an additional $8.8 million pledged to universities for water programs. The RBC Blue Water Project is focused on supporting initiatives that help protect water in towns, cities and urbanized areas. For further information, visit www.rbc.com/bluewater.

Media Contact:
Kirsten Vanstone, Executive Director, RCIScience
416-509-0797 vanstone@royalcanadianinstitute.org