Ministry of The Environment, Conservation And Parks Documents Out For Comment On Drinking Water Resource Library
Two of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (Ministry) documents that are out for public comment are now available for access on the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) Drinking Water Resource Library, at www.DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca. This includes the proposed amendments to the Watermain Disinfection Procedure (WDP, 2015) and a draft Terms of Reference: Determination of Minimum Treatment for Municipal Residential Drinking Water Systems Using Subsurface Raw Water Supplies. These documents are both available for discussion purposes only.
The amendments to the WDP were developed with a large stakeholder group composed of municipal representatives, Ontario Water Works Association, Ontario Municipal Water Association, Ontario Clean Water Agency and Ministry staff. Amendments were identified through requests for clarification and relief related to new/planned watermain construction and replacement.
The Terms of Reference document is aimed to be used to determine whether a subsurface water supply requires treatment beyond a minimum level of disinfection required to inactivate or remove viruses and bacteria, i.e. whether or not treatment for protozoa is required.
Any comments or need for further information can be addressed to the following:
Aziz Ahmed, P.Eng. Licensing and Approvals Section, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch, Environmental Assessment and Permissions Division, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Tel: 416.314.4625 Toll free: 1.888.999.1305 Email: Aziz.Ahmed@ontario.ca
Read MoreManaging Legionella Risk In Buildings Through Water Safety Management Planning
WCWC is pleased to be participating in a course, Managing Legionella Risk in Buildings through Water Safety Management Planning. This course will be presented by the private sector and federal and provincial partners to provide education on effective water safety management plans to reduce exposure to Legionella. Information will be beneficial for building owners, facility managers, drinking water system owners and operators, public health inspectors and healthcare professionals.
This course will provide a foundational understanding of how to write effective water safety management plans based on the ANSI/ASHRAE 188 standard to manage Legionella in buildings. Participants will hear from various private and public sector partners on how each is uniquely positioned to assist in managing the proliferation of Legionella in buildings. Speakers include: Aziz Ahmed, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; Jennifer Clancy, ESPRI Institute; Michele Grenier, Ontario Water Works Association; Brian Jobb, Walkerton Clean Water Centre; John Minnery, Public Health Ontario; Jeff Moffat, Public Services and Procurement Canada; Bill Pearson, BPEARSON Consulting; Patrick Racine, DuBois Canada; Patsy Root, IDEXX Laboratories; and Gordon Yasvinski, Health Canada.
The course will be held on May 16, 2019, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 125 Resources Road, Toronto. There is no charge to attend.
Visit the Ontario Water Works Association website to register: https://www.owwa.ca/events-calendar/.
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World Water Day Celebrated At Walkerton Clean Water Centre
To celebrate World Water Day, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) welcomed more than 600 children from across Grey and Bruce counties during the week of March 18 to learn about water related issues. WCWC, with assistance from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, led students through hands-on activities where they learned about water protection, conservation and WCWC’s role in safeguarding drinking water across Ontario.
Students from Spruce Ridge Community School in Durham learn about water protection
Feedback from students was great. “I really liked learning the importance of not polluting here because it can affect other places”, said Ashley Le Mon from Spruce Ridge Community School.
World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to focus attention on the importance of water and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. “It is far too easy for us in Ontario, and Canada, to take our water for granted, when over one billion people on this earth have no access to any water source that has not been improved at all. It is critical that our students recognize that and work hard at protecting our privilege”, said WCWC CEO, Carl Kuhnke.
WCWC welcomes visitors who would like to learn more about drinking water and WCWC’s role in the province to ensure its safety. To schedule a tour, please contact us at 519-881-2003 or 866-515-0550.
Background: WCWC is an agency of the Government of Ontario, established in 2004, to help ensure clean and safe drinking water for the entire province. WCWC coordinates and provides education, training and information to drinking water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, in order to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water. To date, high-quality drinking water training has been provided to more than 82,000 participants across Ontario. Through partnerships, WCWC also provides training for the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario. For more information please visit www.wcwc.ca.
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Still Time To Register For Provincial Workshop: Drinking Water Quality Management Standard — Making The Transition
Participants at a 2018 DWQMS Workshop in Thunder Bay
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to be hosting a workshop, Drinking Water Quality Management Standard — Making the Transition, in three locations this spring.
This workshop will be geared toward Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) representatives, utility managers, drinking water operators, regulators and municipal decision makers. Participants will rotate through highly interactive breakout sessions facilitated by industry experts to discuss topics such as transitional audits, evaluating mandatory hazards, corrective and preventative actions, infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness and best management practices. As well, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) will provide an update on the status of the Municipal Licensing Program and how municipalities are transitioning to DWQMS 2.0.
Three workshops are scheduled for 2019:
• April 3 & 4, 2019 in Kingston
• April 16 & 17, 2019 in London
• April 24 & 25, 2019 in Thunder Bay
The cost to register is $455.00 + HST.
For further information, or to register for this workshop, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Background: WCWC is an agency of the Government of Ontario, established in 2004, to help ensure clean and safe drinking water for the entire province. WCWC coordinates and provides education, training and information to drinking water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, in order to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water. To date, high-quality drinking water training has been provided to more than 82,000 participants across Ontario. Through partnerships, WCWC also provides training for the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario. For more information please visit www.wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Pleased To Support The Aboriginal Water And Wastewater Association Of Ontario
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently supported the Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario 24th Annual General Meeting and Training Conference held in Thunder Bay, Ontario. WCWC staff delivered hands-on and mandatory training to approximately 80 First Nations registrants from around the province.
WCWC delivered a successful Maintenancefest event to conference attendees, January 29–30, 2019. This unique training experience included three hands-on training modules: Iron and Manganese in Groundwater; Maintenance and Calibration of Lab Equipment; and Sampling, Testing, Adverse Results and Corrective Actions. Participants rotated through modules, earning 0.6 Continuing Educations Unit (CEU). Feedback from participants was excellent; every respondent indicated that they would recommend the event to others.
Conference participants also had the opportunity to attend the course, Safe Drinking Water Operator Essentials, the mandatory certificate renewal course that must be completed every three years by drinking water operators holding Class I through IV, Water Quality Analyst or Limited System licenses. The course focuses on the role of the drinking water operator in emergency planning and response, regulatory updates and equipment maintenance.
Some of the Participants at the 24th Annual General Meeting and Training Conference
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Background: WCWC is an agency of the Government of Ontario, established in 2004, to help ensure clean and safe drinking water for the entire province. WCWC coordinates and provides education, training and information to drinking water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, in order to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water. To date, high-quality drinking water training has been provided to more than 81,000 participants across Ontario. Through partnerships, WCWC also provides training for the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario. For more information please visit www.wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Hosting Provincial Workshop: Drinking Water Quality Management Standard — Making The Transition
2018 DWQMS Photo
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to be hosting a workshop, Drinking Water Quality Management Standard — Making the Transition, in three locations across the province.
This workshop will be geared toward Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) representatives, utility managers, drinking water operators, regulators and municipal decision makers. Participants will rotate through highly interactive breakout sessions facilitated by industry experts to discuss topics such as transitional audits, evaluating mandatory hazards, corrective and preventative actions, infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness and best management practices. As well, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) will provide an update on the status of the Municipal Licensing Program and how municipalities are transitioning to DWQMS 2.0.
This will be WCWC’s eighth year hosting this provincial workshop in support of its clients. Feedback from past participants has been excellent. One 2018 participant noted, “Once again the Walkerton Clean Water Centre has done an excellent job with this training opportunity. Having the MECP representatives available for training sessions, and question periods is a great asset for attendees. I found the breakout sessions very informative and beneficial.”
Three workshops are scheduled for 2019:
- April 3 & 4, 2019 in Kingston, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- April 16 & 17, 2019 in London, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- April 24 & 25, 2019 in Thunder Bay, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The cost to register is $455.00 + HST.
For further information, or to register for this workshop, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Background: WCWC is an agency of the Government of Ontario, established in 2004, to help ensure clean and safe drinking water for the entire province. WCWC coordinates and provides education, training and information to drinking water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, in order to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water. To date, high-quality drinking water training has been provided to more than 81,000 participants across Ontario. Through partnerships, WCWC also provides training for the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario. For more information please visit www.wcwc.ca.
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Minister’s Annual Report on Drinking Water 2018 / Rapport annuel 2018 du ministre sur l’eau potable
Today, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks released the Minister’s Annual Report on Drinking Water 2018.
It showcases how Ontario is taking action to protect drinking water and water resources.
Supporting data on Drinking Water Quality and Enforcement is available on the Open Data Catalogue.
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Le ministère de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la nature et des Parcs a publié aujourd’hui le Rapport annuel 2018 du ministre sur l’eau potable.
Ce rapport souligne les mesures prises par l’Ontario pour protéger l’eau potable et les ressources hydriques.
On trouve des données à l’appui sur la qualité de l’eau potable et l’application des règlements dans le catalogue des données ouvertes.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Providing Valuable Training To Municipal Officials, Mayors And Councillors
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is delivering the course, Responsibilities Under the Statutory Standard of Care — Safe Drinking Water Act, to municipal officials, mayors and councillors with oversight responsibility for drinking water treatment and/or distribution systems.
The course is designed to inform municipal officials of their oversight responsibilities under Section 19 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. Severe penalties are possible for municipal officials who fail to act in good faith and do not exercise honesty, competence and integrity to ensure the protection and safety of the users of municipal drinking water systems.
The three-hour course provides basic information about drinking water systems, the multi-barrier approach to drinking water treatment and some of the risks associated with drinking water treatment and distribution. The course includes several case studies that examine water-borne illness and how these disasters could have been prevented. Participants will also learn about additional specialized training that is available. This course is particularly important commencing in December as a provincewide slate of new elected officials takes office.
For more information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at
866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Background: WCWC is an agency of the Government of Ontario, established in 2004, to ensure clean and safe drinking water for the entire province. WCWC coordinates and provides education, training and information to drinking water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, in order to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water. Through partnerships, WCWC also provides training for the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario. To date, high-quality drinking water training has been provided to more than 80,000 participants across Ontario. For more information please visit www.wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Increases Its Capacity For Pilot Testing Services
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) has added a new pilot scale water treatment technology to the Technology Demonstration Facility. The fluidized bed ion exchange is specifically designed to remove organics to control disinfection by-products. Organic reduction is one of the top requests for pilot testing from drinking water systems. This new equipment will allow WCWC to increase its capacity for pilot testing.
WCWC Pilot Testing Photo
Pilot testing provides relevant and customized information to enhance the understanding of source water, treatment processes and alternative treatment options. Through bench and pilot scale testing, WCWC can support drinking water systems by comparing several treatment options.
WCWC is currently working on a number of pilot testing projects. These projects are focussed on controlling organics and disinfection by-products, iron and manganese, inorganics and coagulation optimization. A detailed report of the results is shared with the client and a summary report is added to WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library, which is a free online portal that assists operators in finding information on various drinking water topics.
Each pilot testing project has been very successful and has helped communities optimize their drinking water.
“WCWC is well equipped with knowledgeable staff to provide effective pilot testing services. They took the time to listen to our needs and provided the best options for pilot testing our intended water treatment process.” – A pilot testing client
Along with the fluidized bed ion exchange, other WCWC pilot scale water treatment equipment can be tested using a community’s raw water either at WCWC or installed at a community’s water treatment plant. WCWC’s pilot scale treatment equipment includes conventional treatment, dissolved air flotation, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, slow sand filtration, ozone and advanced oxidation processes, greensand filters, cartridge filters and ultraviolet light disinfection.
To learn more about how WCWC supports its clients with pilot testing services contact:
Souleymane Ndiongue, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Manager of Research & Technology sndiongue@wcwc.ca or 1-866-515-0550 ext. 308
or,
Devendra Borikar, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Lead, Technology Demonstration dborikar@wcwc.ca or 1-866-515-0550 ext. 313
Background: WCWC is an agency of the Government of Ontario, established in 2004, to ensure clean and safe drinking water for the entire province. WCWC coordinates and provides education, training and information to drinking water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, in order to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water. Through partnerships, WCWC also provides training for the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario. To date, high-quality drinking water training has been provided to more than 80,000 participants across Ontario. For more information please visit www.wcwc.ca.
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2017-2018 Chief Drinking Water Inspector Annual Report Now Available
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has released the 2017-2018 Chief Drinking Water Inspector Annual Report.
This report highlights efforts to provide the people of Ontario with high quality drinking water that is among the best protected in the world.
Visit Ontario’s Open Data Catalogue to see our supporting Drinking Water Quality and Enforcement data.
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