Eric fell in love with Kelowna years before he ever became a resident. The notable dip in mosquito population (particularly when comparing to Winnipeg, where he grew up) and the drier weather were cited as some of his favourite parts about the city.

Ironically, it’s this dry weather that Eric now combats as a street sweeper. Since 2015 he has worked with the City, and used to participate every year in the annual spring sweep before becoming a street sweeper/operator year-round.

Eric explains that in other, wetter cities, the frequent rain helps to rinse debris (like cans, bottles, paper, or vehicle fluids) off the roads on a more regular basis. Given Kelowna’s warmer climate, if unattended these items can accumulate on streets and gutters and can even eventually clog up storm drains. A street sweeper works to make sure this doesn’t happen by driving along the side of the road, spraying the pavement with water, and using a large brush to pick up debris.

“In terms of our stormwater management system, we’re the first line of defense,” says Eric. “We try to make sure that the things you don’t want in your water never have a chance to end up in the stormwater system in the first place.”

A strong and well-supported stormwater management system not only keeps drinking water clean, but also helps protect local wildlife. “A lot of animals really rely on Okanagan Lake,” Eric notes emphatically. “We need to have a high standard for our water quality, not just for the people who live in Kelowna, but for the environment.”