New Training Modules Added To Ninth Annual Maintenancefest
Due to the overwhelming response from clients, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) has added two new training modules to the lineup for the ninth annual Maintenancefest, August 27–28, 2019 in Walkerton, Ontario.
Maintenancefest is a unique hands-on event that allows participants to cycle through six training modules of their choice, earning 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over the course of two days. Planned modules include:
• Backflow and Cross Connection
• Basics of SCADA Programming
Participants work on the Basics of Utility Locates module at the 8th annual Maintenancefest
• Basics of Utility Locates
• Completing Logbook and Logsheet Entries
• Concrete Pressure Pipe Tapping Awareness
• Hydrostatic Pressure Testing
• Jar Testing
• Leak Detection
• Pressure Control Valves
• Unidirectional Flushing
• UV Maintenance
• Well and Well Pump Monitoring
Maintenancefest will run 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. both days, with lunch provided. Register now at wcwc.ca/registration, or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca. The cost to register is $455.00 + HST. Space is limited so register today!
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Drinking Water Training Available For First Nations Communities
Walkerton Clean Water Centre delivering two courses, Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities, and Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators for First Nations
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC), in partnership with Keewaytinook Okimakanak and the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC), is pleased to announce the launch of a new drinking water training course — Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities. The one-day course focuses on components of effective drinking water system management, resources and practical tools. The target audience for this course is individuals in management and supervisory positions in drinking water and those interested in becoming managers and supervisors. Training will be provided at no cost to participants, including all associated expenses.
The first public delivery of the new course was held May 2, 2019 in Dryden with 13 participants attending the course. Feedback on the course was excellent with 100 per cent of the participants rating it as good or excellent.
The new course builds on WCWC’s success delivering the Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators for First Nations, which was tailored to reflect the needs of drinking water system operators in First Nations communities. Each course delivery is a two-week initiative with one week of supervised self-study and one week of practical hands-on training. Since 2017, more than 100 Indigenous participants have successfully completed the course.
WCWC is committed to providing drinking water training and support to help equip First Nations communities to provide safe drinking water.
For more information on any of WCWC’s initiatives to support drinking water improvements in First Nations communities, please visit www.wcwc.ca/en/training/first-nations-zone/ or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Hosts Students For Unique Training Experience
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is proud to support postsecondary students across the province by providing practical hands-on training to complement their academic curriculum.
WCWC offers the three-day course, Operation of Conventional Treatment Processes, to students who are enrolled in the 15 Ontario colleges that include the Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators — a mandatory course required by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks — as part of their curriculum. Students have the opportunity to improve their skills in pilot testing by:
- Operating a fully automated dual train conventional treatment pilot plant
- Conducting jar test experiments to determine the optimal dosage of coagulant
- Calculating and setting up a chemical feed system
- Monitoring and interpreting water quality and operating parameters
- Backwashing filters
- Practicing chlorine measurement and chlorine demand tests
This program was developed in 2007 and in 2011 it was refined and offered to all colleges that incorporated the Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators into their curriculum. Training has been provided to more than 900 college students to date. Feedback from participants continues to be very positive. “I enjoyed the quality of the lab practice. The facilities are organized and designed in a way that is beneficial for practical learning,” reported one participant from Centennial College.
Another student, from Mohawk College, said “…very pleased this opportunity was given to the college, it is a priceless experience.”
For more information on WCWC training, please visit wcwc.ca, or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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Registration Now Open For Ninth Annual Maintenancefest
WCWC is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the ninth annual Maintenancefest, August 27–28, 2019 in Walkerton, Ontario.
Maintenancefest is a unique hands-on event that allows participants to cycle through six training modules of their choice, earning 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over the course of two days. Three new modules have been developed for this year. Planned modules include:
- Backflow and Cross Connection
- Basics of SCADA Programming
- Basics of Utility Locates
- Concrete Pressure Pipe Tapping Awareness — NEW!
- Hydrostatic Pressure Testing — NEW!
- Jar Testing
- Pressure Control Valves
- Unidirectional Flushing
- UV Maintenance — NEW!
- Well and Well Pump Monitoring
Maintenancefest is one of the most popular training events delivered each year by WCWC in support of its clients and feedback from participants continues to be very positive. John Bender, from the Durham Mobile Home Park, has attended every year and appreciates that he can continue to learn new information. “It’s continuously good. Every time I’ve come, I’ve always taken something home with me.” he said.
Maintenancefest will run 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. both days, with lunch provided. Register now at wcwc.ca/registration, or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca. The cost to register is $455.00 + HST. Space is limited so register today before it sells out!
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Managing Legionella Risk In Buildings Through Water Safety Management Planning
On May 16, 2019, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) co-hosted a course, Managing Legionella Risk in Buildings through Water Safety Management Planning. The course was presented by the private sector and federal and provincial partners to provide education on effective water safety management plans to reduce exposure to Legionella.
More than 120 participants attended — including building owners, facility managers, drinking water system owners and operators, public health inspectors and healthcare professionals — to better understand how to write effective water safety management plans based on the ANSI/ASHRAE 188 standard to manage the proliferation of Legionella in buildings.
For more information on WCWC training, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARD — MAKING THE TRANSITION
WCWC recently hosted the workshop, Drinking Water Quality Management Standard — Making the Transition, in Kingston, London and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The workshop was geared toward Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) stakeholders: utility managers; drinking water operators; regulators; and municipal decision makers. Over the course of the two-day workshop, a total of 155 participants rotated through interactive breakout sessions facilitated by industry experts. Topics covered included 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 provided an update on the status of the Municipal Licensing Program and how municipalities are transitioning to DWQMS 2.0.
This was WCWC’s eighth year hosting this popular workshop to support its clients. Feedback from participants continues to be very positive. “This was a great workshop. Excellent job to the WCWC and trainers. Thanks!!” reported one participant.
To enhance the dissemination the information, workshop presentations are available through the Drinking Water Resource Library at www.DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca.
Participants at the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard Workshop in Kingston
Walkerton Clean Water Centre Announces Retirement of Brian Jobb
After more than 35 years of service dedicated to the drinking water industry, Brian Jobb has announced his upcoming retirement in August 2019.
Brian Jobb
Brian has been an integral part of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) as Manager of the Training Institute since 2008. He has made lasting contributions in the development of many of the WCWC’s programs that will be valued and remembered. Brian has successfully distilled state-of-the-art research into practical concepts and coached numerous drinking water operators through the maze of modern treatment techniques. “Brian has been an invaluable member of the management team at the WCWC and has helped it grow from its humble beginnings to where we are today, reaching out into every corner of the province, from large municipalities to RV campground owners. We will miss him!” said Carl Kuhnke, WCWC CEO.
Brian has more than 35 years of experience in operational troubleshooting, research, technical advisory, operator training and applied drinking water treatment chemistry, specializing in uncommon contaminants. He began his career in the drinking water industry with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in 1979 and advanced to Field Services Coordinator for the Drinking Water Section. He was responsible for applied research, training, technical advice and troubleshooting of drinking water plants throughout Ontario. Brian also worked for a coagulant manufacturer and was Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for an equipment manufacturer and continued to provide operator training to his clients.
He has been involved in numerous committees and advisory groups. He currently contributes to: the American Water Works Association Small Systems Division (Past-Chair); the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Drinking Water Quality Committee; the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (Ministry) Operator Training and Certification Working Group; the Ministry Standard of Care Advisory Group; and the WCWC Training Advisory Committee (Chair). He is a Past-President (2004 – 2005) of the Ontario Water Works Association and served on their Board of Directors.
Brian has been the recipient of several awards including: the 2016 Ontario Municipal Water Association Don Black Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the water industry; the 2014 American Water Works Association Soaring to the Summit Award for service to the small systems sector; and the 1999 Ontario Water Works Association Norman J. Howard Award for sincerity in serving the waterworks industry.
To ensure a seamless transition, WCWC has launched a search for its next Manager of the Training Institute. Interested applicants are encouraged to view the job posting at https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=983ed6f5-5ae1-448d-963a-f2008514f65f&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_CA
Read MoreMinistry 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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