WCWC Resumes Classroom Training
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce that it has resumed in-person classroom training.
WCWC has incorporated a COVID-19 Training Session Protocol to enhance safety for participants and staff. The protocol includes pre-screening for venues, participants and staff, physical distancing and disinfection measures.
A variety of courses across Ontario are now open for registration. WCWC will also continue to offer live virtual training. For further information, or to register for any of WCWC’s upcoming courses, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Pilot Testing Success
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently completed a pilot testing project with the Township of Tay to address seasonal taste and odour events.
Staff from WCWC and the Township of Tay review the set-up and operation of the on-site pilot plant
The community has been experiencing seasonal taste and odour events, such as geosmin and methyl-isoborneol (MIB) in the raw and treated water. The community’s ultrafilter effluent was used to test an advanced oxidation process (AOP) (high UV dose + hydrogen peroxide) and granular activated carbon (GAC) to reduce taste and odour compounds. WCWC confirmed that both AOP and GAC removed the taste and odour compounds to below the odour threshold; however, additional chlorine was needed after the AOP process. The township and engineering consultant will use the results to select the appropriate treatment for their system upgrades.
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. Pilot testing reports are available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library at www.DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca, which is a free online portal that assists drinking water professionals find information on various topics.
To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit wcwc.ca/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.
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WCWC Virtual Training
WCWC recently launched virtual delivery of four popular courses. Venkat Ramani, Senior Operational Instructor, talks about what you can expect at the upcoming virtual course, Prevention and Control of Nitrification:
- What is the course about?
Participants who register for this course will learn the basics of nitrification, the impact of nitrification on distribution systems and storage facilities, different treatment and operational strategies to control/prevent nitrification, key monitoring parameters that provides an insight if there is any onset of nitrification and how to prepare an Action plan to prevent nitrification.
This course is designed for operators, supervisors, managers of water utilities and consultants.
- When is it being offered?
July 7 & 8, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Will I earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?
Our virtual courses provide the same CEUs as their classroom versions. Prevention and Control of Nitrification has a CEU value of 0.7.
- How do I access the course?
To register for the course, visit wcwc.ca/registration and a link for the session will be emailed to you. A course manual will be couriered to each participant a week prior to the course.
- What is the cost?
Virtual courses are being offered at reduced rates. The cost to register for the virtual delivery of Prevention and Control of Nitrification is $245 + HST.
For further information about WCWC’s virtual training offerings, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Launches Virtual Training
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is excited to launch live virtual delivery of four popular courses. Each of the courses will be delivered from 8:00 am to 12:00 p.m. over two days:
- Disinfection: Chlorine – June 23 & 24, 2020
This course will introduce basic concepts related to chlorine disinfection. It will cover chlorine chemistry, its application in various forms, and factors that affect chlorine reaction. Participants will examine breakpoint chlorination, CT concept and dechlorination. Hazards associated with the use of chlorine, safety precautions and safety equipment will also be discussed. This course will be most beneficial to newer drinking water treatment operators with a basic understanding of chlorination.
- Emerging Issues – June 29 & 30, 2020
This course will provide details on some of the most recent issues facing drinking water systems. The detection of toxins associated with cyanobacterial blooms will be discussed, as well as disinfection by-products and emerging pathogens. Participants will also learn about newly discovered routes of exposure to pathogens and recently discovered pathogens that pose a threat to drinking water. Discussions will include current and proposed regulatory information along with proposed treatment techniques. This course is designed for more senior drinking water treatment operators (Class II through IV), but will be of benefit to all water treatment professionals, engineers and inspectors.
- Prevention and Control of Nitrification – July 7 & 8, 2020
This course will examine chloraminated drinking water facilities and utilities with high concentrations of ammonia in their water source that could cause nitrification. Participants will learn the history of chloramination, the formation of chloramine and the basics of nitrification. The conditions that promote and impact nitrification control measures for water quality and treatment, distribution system operations and maintenance and distribution system design. This course is designed for experienced operators, supervisors, managers of water utilities and consultants.
- New Watermain Commissioning – July 9 & 10, 2020
This course will familiarize participants with the minimum disinfection and sampling requirements outlined in the Watermain Disinfection Procedure. Material will address the commissioning process from pre-project planning, construction, disinfection and final connections. This course is directed to new and experienced distribution operators and contractor personnel involved with new watermain commissioning.
WCWC offered a pilot session of its first virtual course and received positive feedback from participants,
“The instructor did an excellent job of setting the pace early in the course. Breaking it up into two half days is exactly the right amount of time to be glued to a computer.”
These live training sessions will provide opportunities for interaction between the instructor and participants. Participants will require access to a computer with internet connection, web camera and microphone, Zoom, YouTube and SurveyPlanet (links will be sent by chat during the Zoom session). A course manual will be couriered to each participant prior to the course. Each course has a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) value of 0.7. The cost to register is $245 + HST.
For further information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Disponible en français.
Read MoreCyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins in Water
Over the past decade, cyanobacteria blooms have emerged as an important issue in the water and wastewater industry. Tory Colling, Scientist, explains what water professionals ought to know about cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in water:
1. What are cyanotoxins?
Cyanotoxins are produced by some species of cyanobacteria or as commonly known as blue-green algae. These toxins are typically stored inside the cells, but when cyanobacteria cells degrade, the toxins are released.
Cyanobacteria are microscopic bacteria that have some plant-like characteristics. They are commonly called “algae blooms” in the media.
2. Where are they found?
Cyanobacteria naturally occur in freshwater. In fact, they contribute oxygen in our atmosphere. When conditions are favourable, such as warm temperatures and nutrient-rich, shallow and stagnant waters, cyanobacteria can form blooms. Cyanobacteria blooms are made up of densely-populated cells that form discoloured water, which is often described as pea soup or spilt paint with an oily appearance.
Certain cyanobacteria can produce by-products, known as cyanotoxins. When these cyanobacteria cells form a bloom, large amounts of cyanotoxins can be detected.
3. What are the health concerns?
Health concerns can range from liver toxins, neurotoxins, tumor-promoting effects or skin irritation. There are different types of cyanotoxins and each type has different health concerns. The most common cyanotoxin is called microcystin. Microcystin is a liver toxin and can cause tumor-promoting effects.
4. What are some strategies to control cyanotoxins?
Reducing nutrient inputs to source water or effective reservoir/watershed management are long-term strategies to control cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins.
5. How can cyanotoxins be removed from drinking water?
For larger municipal systems, combining effectively operated drinking water treatment processes can provide a multiple barrier to remove intact cells or released cyanotoxins. Some drinking water treatment processes, such as coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation or flotation, are capable of removing intact cyanobacteria cells. While other drinking water treatment processes, such as chlorination or ozonation, are capable of degrading released cyanotoxins, provided there is enough disinfectant concentration and contact time with the disinfectant.
Some very small or private drinking water systems may only rely on point-of-entry (POE) drinking water treatment units. If these private drinking water systems suspect a bloom in the water supply, it is recommended to contact the local health unit and use an alternative water source. Very limited POE treatment units are certified to specifically remove cyanotoxins. However, in 2019, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) updated NSF/ANSI Standard 53 to include a protocol to test activated carbons filters to reduce microcystins.
To learn more about cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, visit WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library or contact WCWC’s helpline at helpline@wcwc.ca or 1-855-306-1155.
Read MoreWalkerton Clean Water Centre Supports Scholarship Fund To Assist Local Postsecondary Students
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is proud to partner with the Municipality of Brockton in the launch of a scholarship fund to support local students pursuing careers in environmental science or clean water management.
The Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Scholarship will honour those who suffered because of the Walkerton water crisis, and support the next generation of students embracing environmental stewardship and the protection of clean water.
WCWC looks forward to supporting this initiative. “Providing a scholarship to a postsecondary student pursuing a career in environmental science or the water industry is great and we are excited to collaborate with the Municipality of Brockton,” said Carl Kuhnke, Chief Executive Officer. WCWC will be contributing $5,000 to the fund, which will be administered through Community Foundation Grey Bruce, a charitable organization with more than $1.8 million invested in education funds.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Welcomes Brad Hoover as Manager of Training and Development
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce that Brad Hoover has joined the team as Manager of Training and Development.
Brad has worked in the water and wastewater industry for 14 years. In his former position with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), he was a Senior Operations Manager and Process Specialist in the Process Optimization & Technical Services Division. He started as an Operator/Mechanic and worked his way up through management into his previous position with OCWA. Brad has extensive experience in adult education, a passion for innovation and has won numerous awards during his career.
Brad holds diplomas as a Civil Engineering Technologist and Construction Engineering Technician. He is also a certified water treatment and wastewater treatment operator.
WCWC looks forward to the contributions Brad will make to the education and support of clients as they safeguard water resources.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreCorrespondence and Online Training Opportunity: Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems
WCWC offers a popular course, Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems, online and through correspondence. Alicia McIntyre, Training Support Representative, tells us more about this course, which is perfectly suited to the current COVID-19 pandemic, but is available year-round.
1. What topics are covered in this course?
There are four main areas covered under this course.
• Relevant legislation
• Water quality
• Water sources and methods of treatment
• Water sampling: observation, results, reporting and corrective action
2. Who is the target audience?
The target audience is participants seeking “trained person” designation under O.Reg. 170/03.
3. When is the course available? Is there a deadline to finish it?
The course is available anytime by correspondence or online. A participant has one year from date of registration to successfully complete it.
4. Are there Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available for this course?
Yes, a participant receives 1.8 CEUs upon successfully completing the course.
5. How do I register?
A participant can register anytime by following this link: https://wcwc.ca/small-systems-zone/operation-of-small-drinking-water-systems-course/. If they have any problems registering they can call WCWC directly.
To learn more about this course, visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact Alicia McIntyre at amcintyre@wcwc.ca or 1-866-515-0550 ext. 311.
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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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Drinking Water Resource Library FAQ’s
Are you looking for reliable information on drinking water? Laura Zettler, Drinking Water Resource Coordinator, describes what you can find on the Drinking Water Resource Library.
1. What is the Drinking Water Resource Library?
The library is an online database of resources and website links providing information relating to drinking water. We provide this service to the operators, owners, inspectors and decision makers of water treatment systems and to the public. It is available online free of charge to anyone at any time.
2. What topics are covered?
Any resources that relate to drinking water quality or common issues found in Ontario are collected. We have curated groups for the most popular searches, making it easier to browse. These topics include regulatory guidance, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), arsenic, lead, legionella and microplastics, to name a few. We also have a new folder, being updated daily, featuring resources relating to the current coronavirus pandemic.
3. How many resources are there?
Currently there are over 5,000 resources available for browsing but we continue to add new or relevant information every day.
4. Is there a cost to use it?
There is no cost to use this service. The goal is to have information readily available to anyone who seeks it. WCWC also hosts a free helpline where we will help locate information or direct callers to the right contacts. You can contact the helpline at 1-855-306-1155 or helpline@wcwc.ca.
5. Who do I contact if I have a suggestion for new information?
If you have suggestions for content or would like to submit your own resources contact us at inquiry@drinkingwaterresourcelibrary.ca. WCWC also collects anonymous feedback using a survey that can be found on our library webpage.
You can visit www.wcwc.ca and find the library under the services tab or visit this link:
https://wcwc.ca/services/drinking-water-resource-library/.