By EILEEN OAKS
The Watershed Foundation Marketing and Outreach Specialist

A view of the watershed to be served by the Clean Waters Partnership.

WARSAW —  The Clean Waters Partnership, an extension of The Watershed Foundation, is hosting its first open house at 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce located at 523 S Buffalo St. At the open house, members of the CWP hope to open a dialogue among members of the community, businesses and the CWP

The Warsaw area is part of a much larger watershed. Rainwater in a watershed, that doesn’t soak into the ground, drains into lakes, streams, ditches, and flows through the Tippecanoe River. The CWP, was formed to improve and protect our important natural resources in the lake city area.

TWF was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to help cover the cost of developing a watershed management plan to address water quality issues in our area. Throughout the two-and-a half year planning process, the CWP will survey rural and urban residents about water quality issues, assess water quality conditions, identify and prioritize sources of pollution, educate the public about making clear choices for clean water and engage stakeholders.

Your concerns about the waters in our area are important to the CWP, and are vital to the success of the planning. CWP will also have information on how our partners are actively preventing pollution and how you can assist your waters too.

CWP’s success is the product of strong community support from individuals, businesses, and governmental organizations, including the Center for Lakes & Streams, City of Warsaw, Town of Winona Lake, Kosciusko County Council, Health, Planning, Surveying and Emergency Management Departments, Indiana American Water Co., Zimmer Biomet Inc., the Builders’ Association of Kosciusko & Fulton Counties, KC Recycling Depot, Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Chapman, Center, Pike and Winona Lakes.

More information about this partnership and TWF is available online at our website and on Facebook. People can even get involved by contacting TWF at [email protected] or (574) 834-3242.