WHAT'S NEW?

Our apologies: we've postponed our event in light of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines

Sir John A. MacDonald Pub Signs on to blueW!

Picture
It’s hard to deny how big a problem single-use plastic waste has become. Businesses in our community are helping address the issue by offering tap water to anyone who drops in asking to refill their water bottle. 

Peter Abraham, owner of the Sir John A. MacDonald Restaurant and Pub on Elgin Street, happily signed on to the program recently. Those needing a refill of their reusable water bottle will know by the blueW sticker on the the front window that they're welcome to come in for some high-quality Ottawa tap water. 

Ottawa Water Study/Action Group (OWSAG) volunteers have been approaching local businesses to get involved in the blueW campaign.  All participating businesses are marked on a map at blueW.com, so it’s easy to find your nearest source of drinking water as you go about your day. 

The program is a benefit not only to residents, but also to the more than 1 million tourists who visit Ottawa each year, especially during the summer months. Making it easy to find a place to refill a water bottle in the heat and humidity of summer will help visitors stay cool and comfortable while they enjoy all that the city has to offer.
​ 
If you’d like to learn more about the campaign and how to get involved, go to https://www.owsagottawa.org/bluew-campaign.html
Peter Abraham, owner of the Sir John A. MacDonald Restaurant
& Pub and Councillor Catherine McKenney (Somerset Ward)

blueW Campaign Reaches Sandy Hill!

Picture
​Single-use plastics are a major environmental hazard. One way to tackle this is to address the use of water sold in plastic bottles. To counter this, the City of Ottawa has recently pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics in municipal buildings. 

Now OWSAG is supporting a new project – the blueW campaign. This project encourages the using reusable water containers for municipal tap water. OWSAG is asking local store owners to promote the use of municipal tap water. They do this by posting a blueW decal that says “Free water bottle refills/ Remplissage de bouteilles d’eau gratuit”. All stores posting this decal offer free municipal tap water refills.

The Working Title Café at the All Saints Centre at Laurier and Chapel streets has always promoted drinking municipal tap water. They were one the first of several stores in Sandy Hill to post a blueW decal.

Municipal Councillor for the Rideau-Vanier Ward, Mathieu Fleury, was one of the many Councillors who supported and passed the City Council resolution to eliminate single-use plastics in all municipal buildings.

All these efforts are part of a growing movement to create a more liveable environment for us all.

Right: Councillor Mathieu Fleury and OWSAG Founder Dr. Eric Schiller proudly point out the blueW sticker at the The Working Title Café



Bread and Roses Bakery Supports blueW!

Picture
Chris Green, owner of Bread and Roses Bakery at 323 St. Laurent Blvd. was one of the first to sign on to the blueW program. He's enthusiastic about the concept and very willing to participate. 

Municipal Councillor Rawlson King (Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward) said “I’m committed to safe drinking water and the reduction
of plastics. I campaigned on this and I was very pleased to vote on not renewing the contract for bottled water in all municipal buildings soon after my election”. 

He added: “Ottawa’s water is one of the safest in Canada”.

Look for the blueW logo in the window of Bread and Roses Bakery and other businesses in the Manor Park community or check the blueW.com website for other participating stores, restaurants and shops.

If you’d like to learn more about the campaign and how to get involved, go to https://www.owsagottawa.org/bluew-campaign.html

Left: Bread and Roses Bakery owner Chris Green & Municipal Councillor Rawlson King​
"The bottled water industry promotes their product as a 'healthier' alternative to tap water.
But the fact is tap water in Canada is much more regulated than bottled water."
​~ Eric Schiller, OWSAG member
Follow us on social media!​

    Sign up for OWSAG updates today!