The Our Water - Our World (OWOW) program began in 1997 by Central
Contra Costa Sanitary District in cooperation with the Regional Water Quality
Control Plant in Palo Alto, CA and grant support from the California
Department of Pesticide Regulation and the National Foundation for
Integrated Pest Management Education (USEPA funding). The pilot project
was implemented in various nurseries and other retail outlets in Contra Costa
County, the city of Palo Alto and Marin County in 1998. In Spring 1999, the
program became a collaboration among regional and local water agencies in
San Francisco Bay area counties. In Spring 2004, with funding from the
State Water Resources Control Board, the program was expanded to include additional California communities. Also, in Winter 2005, over 80 Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) stores throughout California have agreed to participate in Our Water - Our World.

The OWOW program now includes the design and development of over
20 fact sheets (some translated in Spanish) that offer less-toxic pest
management strategies for specific pests. These fact sheets are placed in
retail outlets that sell pesticides to the public. Shelf-talkers are also placed
on selected products on store shelves to make it easier for the public to
identify safer alternatives to conventional pesticides. In addition, community
outreach/educational events are held in the stores to promote the
availablility of less toxic methods and products. training of store personnel is
given and consists of principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and
successful application strategies and sales techniques for less toxic products.
To learn more about the program, the following items are available:

Technical reports relating to pesticides and water quality are available online.