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Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society gets much needed donation

Funds will be used for water testing and maintenance of the pontoon boat
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Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society president Birgit Arnstein accepts a cheque for $500 from Untied Way Thrift Store’s Lynette Gates recently. (Neil Bousquet photo)

A donation by the United Church Thrift Store was the best Christmas present the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society could receive.

“The $500 donation to assist the ongoing efforts of our organization to protect Osoyoos Lake could not have come at a better time,” said Birgit Arnstein, president of OLWQS.

“Like many volunteer-driven organizations in the Okanagan, the OLWQS has been handcuffed by the COVID pandemic, in its ability to raise funds through special events such as our annual Beer & Burger fundraiser. It’s been a struggle to raise money to continue our role in protecting the integrity of Osoyoos Lake.

“However, our members have worked very hard to be vigilant in monitoring issues such as conservation, pollution and lake management and protection,” said Arnstein.

Arnstein added that the ongoing generosity of the United Church Thrift Store, spearheaded by acting manager Cathie Baskett shows how local organizations support each other, especially in a time of need.

The $500 donation will be used by the OLWQS for its ongoing water quality testing of Osoyoos Lake (pH, temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen and water clarity) at varying depths on the Canadian side of the lake and the ongoing maintenance of the pontoon boat to conduct its research.

READ MORE: Floodwaters turned Okanagan River back towards Osoyoos Lake



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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