Congratulations Académie de la Capitale (AcadeCap) in Ottawa, Ontario!
Grand prize winner of the 2022-2023 Student Action on Canadian Water Attitudes Competition!
AcadeCap will receive a plaque, a water bottle filling station, and possibly some reusable water bottles and/or water testing kits - a prize package worth $3,000!
Grade 7-9 students at Académie de la Capitale (AcadeCap), in Ottawa, Ontario, educated 310 people and saved 216,973 litres of water!
They studied water footprints and learned that there is a connection between water and recycling/composting. They also wanted to learn more about water conservation and people's attitudes. The students designed a Water Attitudes Survey to determine the water conservation attitudes and behaviours of students, teachers, and parents in the AcadeCap Community in greater detail. The survey consisted of three parts: household water conservation information, individual attitudes and behaviours, and an optional one-week water use diary.
The students reviewed the data collected in the surveys and determined that a key issue was awareness of drinking source water and the importance of its protection and conservation. Only 17% of people who completed the survey correctly identified the Ottawa River as the source of their drinking water. Furthermore, there seemed to be poor awareness of water footprints and the importance of reducing them. Not many students were recycling consistently at school or understood the connection between recycling or composting and their water footprint.
AcadeCap students chose to target these issues in two ways. First, an educational display that provided information on the connection between the Ottawa River and Ottawa drinking water was created and shared with the AcadeCap Community and with their neighbouring company, Lee Valley Tools Head Office, as part of the March World Water Day campaign. Topics included: Microplastics in the Ottawa River, road salt issues, surface runoff and how to reduce it, pollution threats to the Ottawa River, the City of Ottawa's water treatment process, the hidden water footprint of common items and foods, rain-ready Ottawa, and invasive species in the Ottawa River watershed. The display also included hands-on activities, brochures, fact sheets, and other takeaway items.
The students’ educational display about water, including information about microplastics in the Ottawa River, road salt issues, surface runoff and how to reduce it, pollution threats to the Ottawa River, the City of Ottawa’s water treatment process, the hidden water footprint of common items and foods, rain-ready Ottawa, and invasive species in the Ottawa River watershed
Students provided community members with information, brochures, fact sheets, bookmarks, and fridge magnets that educated them about water, highlighting the fact that the Ottawa River is the source of their drinking water.
A table of games at the Swap Meet
Secondly, students analyzed the recycling and composting habits of people at the school. They found that all items placed in the garbage cans and recycling bins at AcadeCap go directly to the garbage and landfill because AcadeCap is not a part of the City of Ottawa's recycling program, has not contracted private bins, and does not have a composting program. They educated the students and staff about the connection between water conservation, food waste, and recycling. The students created new school policies “to pack it home". They also implemented a three-week school-wide “Recycling Incentive Pilot Program” in March and April. Each class was asked to set a recycling goal and monitor their progress over the three weeks with a special tracking poster. Parents were asked to participate by providing a litterless lunch. The students hosted four assembly pep talks to encourage students and to help them to understand the cost of wasting hidden water in the items they discard into the landfill. The students completed a garbage audit before and after the incentive program to observe changes in composting and recycling behaviour. They also hosted a school-wide Swap Meet to encourage the reuse of unwanted items to stop them from entering the landfill. Families and students brought in enough games, toys, puzzles, and clothes to fill six tables!
Thank you so much to Our Judges!
Kendra leboldus
Kendra is an Applied Science Technologist with Technology Professionals Saskatchewan. She works as an Environmental Specialist and she has over twenty years experience in the environment and water quality and water resources fields. After graduating as an Environmental Engineering Technologist, Kendra went on to receive a certificate in Environmental Practice, as well as a certificate in Water Resources Management. She is an auditor with Technology Accreditation Canada and she is on the Registration and Examination Board for Technology Professionals Saskatchewan. Kendra enjoys working on solutions to the various impacts stemming from environmental issues and she works diligently to protect the beautiful province of Saskatchewan in which she lives and works.
Outside of work, Kendra enjoys cooking, camping, and watching football. She gives her time to the community by volunteering with a non-profit environmental organization and on a marathon organizing committee.
Truman Wong
Truman currently works as a Process Strategist with Canadian Banking Operations at RBC, providing strategic insights to business partners to optimize, simplify, and transform operational processes. Truman holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and is a PMP-credentialed project manager. In his spare time, Truman enjoys travel, checking out the latest gallery exhibitions, and giving back to the community through various non-profit and charitable initiatives, particularly those in support of literacy, protecting the environment, and mentoring the leaders of tomorrow.
Judging Information
The judges (SDWF staff members for the objective categories and volunteers for the subjective categories) will give marks for each of the following categories:
Objective criteria, marked by SDWF staff members
1. Percentage of people who now know where their drinking water comes from (out of 5 possible marks).
2. Number of community members who were engaged in the project (out of 5 possible marks).
3. Litres of water conserved or area of impermeable surface made permeable (out of 5 possible marks) – if actions were made in both areas the one for which the higher mark would be awarded will be judged.
Subjective criteria, marked by volunteers
4. Students changed community members’ attitudes and/or behaviours regarding water (out of 5 possible marks).
5. Pictures and/or videos were included which represent the project (5 marks, 3 marks or 1 mark).
6. Community Members of Various Ages Were Engaged in the Project (out of 3 possible marks).
Judges’ and Safe Drinking Water Foundation staff members' decisions will be final.