Resources on Covid-19 Available for Drinking Water Professionals
The spread of COVID-19 is an evolving situation that the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is acting upon. WCWC will continue to serve its clients and is making new resources available to the water sector daily through the Drinking Water Resource Library and the Helpline.
WCWC has added a dedicated section to the Drinking Water Resources Library containing links to guidance documents, fact sheets and free webinars related to COVID-19 for water professionals. This online system provides access to a variety of trusted resources and features multiple search functions to assist our clients in their search for information.
As well, WCWC staff will continue to respond to technical calls and provide information related to drinking water treatment processes, equipment, operational requirements and environmental factors through the Helpline. Staff will respond to inquiries during business hours, Monday to Friday, as we always have.
Visit www.wcwc.ca/drinking-water-resource-library/ and scroll down to view the folder of resources on the COVID-19 pandemic and the water sector or contact the Helpline at 1-855-306-1155 or helpline@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreWALKERTON CLEAN WATER CENTRE RESCHEDULING COURSES AND EVENTS
The spread of COVID-19 is an evolving situation that the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is taking very seriously. We will continue to monitor authorities’ recommendations but in the meantime, WCWC is in the process of rescheduling all courses and events up to April 30, 2020. Registrants will be notified of date changes and can choose to reschedule or have their registration fee refunded.
For further information please contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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Pilot Testing At WCWC
Are you curious about pilot testing? Devendra Borikar, Technology Demonstration Lead, and Jeff Avedesian, Acting Scientist, answer common questions about WCWC’s pilot testing program:
What is pilot testing?
A WCWC pilot project is a small-scale practical study conducted in order to evaluate feasibility, duration, or performance of a water treatment strategy and its effect on water quality. This can include bench or pilot-scale projects that may address health based, operational, or aesthetic water quality parameters.
What kind of projects have you done in the past?
WCWC has completed pilots that addressed cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria, arsenic, manganese, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, aluminum, dissolved organic carbon, chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, iron, and sulfates using various specific strategies. WCWC can also provide information to owners, operators and other decision-makers in the form of a literature review for the purpose of making educated and informed decisions.
Is the work done in Walkerton or at my site?
The work can be completed either on-site or at the WCWC Technology Demonstration Facility depending on site-specific conditions.
What do you do with the results?
WCWC provides the owner and operating authority with preliminary data throughout the pilot, a detailed report and treatment recommendations. With the permission of the client, WCWC may choose to present the study at conferences and tradeshows, and may include results from the project in future training materials.
To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit wcwc.ca/pilottesting or contact Devendra Borikar at dborikar@wcwc.ca or 1-866-515-0550 ext. 313.
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WCWC is pleased to launch a new course, Disinfection: Chlorine.
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to launch a new course, Disinfection: Chlorine.
This course introduces 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.
Participants will receive 0.7 Continuing Education Units.
The first sessions of the course will be offered on March 12, 2020 in London, Ontario and May 13, 2020 in Sudbury, Ontario. The cost to register is $360 + HST.
For further information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreWalkerton 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.
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Drinking Water Quality Management Standard — Vision 2020 Early Bird Pricing Available
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to be hosting provincial workshops, Drinking Water Quality Management Standard — Vision 2020, in two locations this spring:
- April 1 & 2, 2020 in Barrie, Ontario
- April 15 & 16, 2020 in Thunder Bay, Ontario
These workshops 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. This will be WCWC’s ninth year hosting these provincial workshops in support of its clients.
WCWC is offering a 10 per cent early bird discount for registrants. The discounted cost to register is $495.00 + HST. Early bird registration ends February 20, 2020 for the event in Barrie and March 5, 2020 for the event in Thunder Bay.
Participants at a 2019 DWQMS Workshop in Kingston, Ontario
For more information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreSmall Systems Hands-On Workshop Coming To Peterborough
For the first time, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is offering a 10 per cent early-bird discount for registrants of the small systems hands-on workshop. The workshop is geared especially to the owners and operators of small systems defined under Ontario Regulation 170/03 and Ontario Regulation 319/08 and will provide opportunities for training that can be used to maintain the Trained Person designation.
Participants will choose three of four modules focusing on the operation and maintenance of small drinking water systems, earning 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs.) Modules are led by industry experts. Planned modules include:
- Sampling, Testing, Adverse Test Results and Corrective Actions
- Small Systems: Maintaining Chemical Pumps — NEW!
- Ultraviolet Disinfection and Maintenance
- Well Maintenance
The workshop will be held on March 25, 2020, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., in Peterborough.
The cost to register is $230.00 + HST until February 12, 2020.
For more information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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Four Not-To-Be-Missed Events
WCWC will be hosting a number of special training sessions and be represented at key conferences this spring. Lissa Irwin, Training Support Representative, tells us more about four of the upcoming events:
- March 25, 2020: WCWC Small Systems Hands-On Workshop, Peterborough. WCWC is pleased to be hosting our Small Systems Hands-on Workshop geared especially to the owners and operators of small systems defined under Ontario Regulation 170/03 and Ontario Regulation 319/08. This workshop can be used to maintain a “Trained Person” designation as defined under Ontario Regulation 170/03 or receive CEUs for Limited System operators. Participants will rotate sessions throughout the day, earning 0.6 CEUs.
- April 1–2, 2020: Provincial Workshop: Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, Barrie. For the ninth year, WCWC is pleased to host the provincial workshops to continue to support QMS representatives, utility managers, supervisors and staff in their role in the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS). Participants will rotate through breakout sessions over these two-day workshops. Each breakout session will be facilitated by an industry expert and will be highly interactive.
- April 15–16, 2020: Provincial Workshop: Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, Thunder Bay.
- May 4–6, 2020: Ontario’s Water Conference & Trade Show, Niagara Falls. Ontario’s Water Conference & Trade Show consistently attracts over 1,000 delegates from all areas of our industry: operators and owners, manufacturers and suppliers, consultants, academics and regulators. The exhibition has more than 100 exhibitors representing the manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to the water industry. This is a great opportunity to network, and stay informed about technical, regulatory, and equipment developments in the industry. The conference offers a total of eight hours of CEUs for operators. WCWC is proud to be a platinum sponsor.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca, contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca, or meet Lissa at booth 323 at the Ontario Water Works Equipment Association Exchange.
Lissa at the WCWC booth
Chemically Assisted Granular Media Filtration
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce a new course, Chemically Assisted Granular Media Filtration. This course will provide participants with an overview of all aspects of chemically assisted filtration concepts including operation, performance monitoring, maintenance and troubleshooting of both biological and non-biological filters. Topics covered will include a review of pre-treatment processes as they pertain to filter performance and backwashing and starting of filters. Discussion will include a brief review of waterborne disease outbreaks involving filtration facilities.
This course is intended for drinking water operators and water quality managers who are responsible for chemically-assisted filtration processes, provincial drinking water staff who review plans for such plants or who provide technical assistance to plant operators and consultants who are interested in how filtration plants can be designed to facilitate optimal operating practices.
The first public session of this course will be held on March 24, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Burlington. The cost to register is $360.00 + HST.
Register now at wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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WCWC Helpline
Do you have questions about drinking water or issues with it? The WCWC helpline has answers. Lindsay Ariss, Technician, answers your questions about the helpline:
- How does the helpline work?
The helpline provides information and educational resources to those who work with drinking water (owners, operators and operating authorities) and the public.
2. What kind of questions can you answer?
Information and resources are provided to address questions or challenges related to drinking water including treatment processes, equipment, distribution, operational and regulatory requirements, training and environmental factors.
3. Who answers my questions?
You will be directed to a staff member who has specific expertise related to your question.
4. What if you don’t have the answers to my questions?
If WCWC staff are not able to answer your questions, you will be referred to the appropriate contact. These include manufacturers, sales representatives, water professional associations, government agencies/departments and other stakeholders.
WCWC staff have years of experience and technical knowledge and strive to provide you with tailored information relating to your query. Access the helpline, Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by calling 1-855-306-1155 or emailing helpline@wcwc.ca
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