Using Pilot Testing to Address Drinking Water Concerns in First Nations Communities
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre has completed 13 pilot testing projects with First Nations clients to empower them to improve their drinking water
Since 2017 the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) has completed 13 pilot testing projects to help First Nations communities improve the quality of their drinking water, and in some cases, help lift the long-term drinking water advisories that have been in place for many years.
Work on a Pilot Testing Project with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
First Nations clients have reached out to WCWC for help with pilot testing projects — small-scale and larger practical studies to evaluate the feasibility or performance of water treatment strategies and their effects on water quality. Pilot testing projects can address health-based, operational, or aesthetic water quality parameters. These projects can be completed at a client’s site or at the Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton, Ontario.
WCWC’s state-of-the-art Technology Demonstration Facility features the latest conventional and advanced water treatment and control technologies, Some of the pilot treatment units available include: dissolved air flotation; ultrafiltration; nanofiltration; reverse osmosis; fixed bed and magnetic ion exchange; slow sand filtration; ozone; ultraviolet light; and advanced oxidation processes.
WCWC provides clients with preliminary data throughout each project and once the project is complete, a detailed report, which is also available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library at DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca is published. Clients may use the project results with engineering consultants in the selection and design of appropriate treatment systems.
WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as disinfection by-products (DBPs), iron and manganese treatment, natural organic matter, arsenic and coagulation. To learn more about how WCWC’s pilot testing services can help you optimize your water system, please visit wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.
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Training Opportunities At The Assembly Of First Nations 4th Annual Water Symposium
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce that it will be delivering two virtual courses at the upcoming Assembly of First Nations 4th Annual Water Symposium.
On behalf of the Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario (AWWAO), WCWC will be delivering Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities and New Watermain Commissioning. WCWC is proud to work with AWWAO to make this training available to First Nations Chiefs, Councillors, managers and supervisors who have operational responsibility for water systems, and drinking water operators.
The 4th Annual Water Symposium will be held virtually on February 17 and 18, 2021. The theme of the event is “Protecting Water During Uncertain Times”. Access to safe, clean water is more important than ever as the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the uncertainty facing First Nations with respect to water. For more information about the 4th Annual Water Symposium, please visit afn.ca/2021-water-symposium/ or learn more from AWWAO at awwao.org.
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New Training Options For Managing Drinking Water Systems In First Nations Communities
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC), in partnership with Keewaytinook Okimakanak/Northern Chiefs Council, is focusing on projects that support drinking water operator training, certification and mentorship for First Nations communities.
For the first time, WCWC will be offering the course, Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities, in a live virtual format. This course is designed as an introduction to management practices related to the drinking water systems in First Nations communities. It provides a high-level overview of drinking water systems, explores components of effective drinking water system management and provides resources and practical tools for consideration in developing or making improvements to current practices. This course is designed for First Nations Chiefs, Council and management who have operational responsibility for drinking water systems.
Each live training session will provide opportunities for interaction between the instructor and participants and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. over two days. Two sessions are currently scheduled on February 3 and 4 and March 3 and 4, 2021. Participants will require access to a computer with internet connection, a camera and microphone. A course manual will be couriered to each participant prior to the session.
For more information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/first-nations-zone/ or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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Pilot Testing Project Helps Address Long-Term Boil Water Advisory
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently completed a pilot testing project with Wauzhushk Onigum Nation, helping the community address a long-term boil water advisory that has been in place since 2012.
Wauzhushk Onigum Nation is located on Lake of the Woods in Northwestern Ontario. The lake water has high organics and colour making it a challenging water source for satisfying the requirements of UV disinfection. Before implementing decentralized point-of-entry (POE) systems for a portion of the community, Wauzhushk Onigum Nation worked with WCWC on a pilot testing project. WCWC tested POE technologies for effectiveness in removing turbidity and organics in order to improve UV disinfection. The test results were shared with consultants in the design of the decentralized water systems.
WCWC conducts pilot tests for clients to enhance their understanding of source water characteristics and the performance of treatment processes and alternative treatment options. Bench or pilot scale projects can be undertaken at a client’s location or at the Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton.
WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as natural organic matter, disinfection by-products, iron and manganese treatment, arsenic, and coagulation. Completed pilot testing reports are available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library, which is a free online portal that assists drinking water professionals in finding information on various topics.
To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit https://wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Launches Fundamental Math Course
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to launch a new course, Fundamental Math.
This workshop-style course provides drinking water system operators with the opportunity to improve their math skills related to daily operations. Basic concepts will be reviewed, and participants will practice solving calculations related to flow rates, pressure, detention times and dosages using the ABC’s formula/conversion tables. The content incorporates essential math skills required for Operators-In-Training, Class I and II operators and Limited System operators. Participants will receive 0.7 Continuing Education Units.
The new course will be delivered for the first time in conjunction with the Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario’s 25th Annual General Meeting, Training & Tradeshow Conference, February 25–27, 2020 in Orillia, Ontario. A second session is scheduled on April 28, 2020 in Peterborough, Ontario. The cost to register is $360.00 + HST.
For further information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreMore Support Available For Operators Of First Nations Drinking Water Systems
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce a new Facebook page dedicated to operators of First Nations drinking water systems. The new resource will help improve the accessibility of information and will provide details on the two courses delivered in partnership with Keewaytinook Okimakanak and the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation, Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators for First Nations and Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities.
Clients will also be able to use the page to access information about other resources available, including WCWC’s pilot testing program, helpline and the Drinking Water Resource Library.
WCWC is committed to providing drinking water training and support to help equip First Nations communities to provide safe drinking water. For more information about WCWC’s First Nations training initiatives, please visit www.wcwc.ca/first-nations-zone/ or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca, or follow us on Facebook @FirstNationsDrinkingWaterTraining
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