South Whidbey’s drinking water and community will be the focus of a forum, and then a three-day conference in Clinton next week.

Supported by the Whidbey Institute and Thriving Communities, the forum is 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 at Thomas Berry Hall at the institute.

This is an open event meant to foster discussion about the area’s water. Most who call the South End home are in charge of their own drinking water, as the majority of water systems in Island County are community owned and are accountable to their members through a council, commission, or board.

Those who attend can voice questions and concerns and find out how they can help safeguard this vital resource, avoiding catastrophes such Flint, Mich. A panel of county, state and local officials are expected to attend, including: Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, and Island County Public Health Director Keith Higman; Jennifer Kropack, a regional planner with the Washington State Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water; Randi Perry, utilities manager for Langley; and John Lovie, with the Sun Vista/Sunlight Beach homeowners association.

The following night, Thursday, marks the beginning of the fifth annual Thriving Communities – Water and Community conference, also held at the Whidbey Institute. It starts at 6 p.m.

Through film, Thriving Communities will introduce examples of the communities of Duwamish, Methow, Maxwelton on Whidbey Island and the children of Vancouver, B.C. and explore different models of care for resources.

Visit http://thrivingcommunities.org for details and to register.