Merry Christmas from the staff at WCWC!
December 24, 2019: Office closes at 12:00 p.m.
January 2, 2020: Regular office hours resume
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More 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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Success At Regional Maintenancefest
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) hosted a successful regional Maintenancefest event in Thunder Bay on October 16, 2019 in conjunction with the Northwestern Ontario Water and Wastewater Conference.
Participants work on a module at regional Maintenancefest
Des participants travaillent sur un module lors du Maintenancefest régional
Maintenancefest is a unique hands-on event that allowed 26 participants to cycle through training modules of their choice, earning 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Training modules included:
- Maintenance & Calibration of Chemical Pumps
- Maintenance of Valves
- Membrane Maintenance & Repair
- Sampling, Testing, Adverse Test Results
Feedback was extremely positive and 100 per cent of survey respondents indicated they would recommend the event to others.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreGrade Nine Students Step In To Their Future At The Walkerton Clean Water Centre
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is proud to welcome grade nine students to learn more about careers on November 6, 2019 for the national Take Our Kids to Work Day.
Visiting students will have the chance to spend the day job shadowing a parent, friend, relative or volunteer host to explore career opportunities available to them.
Developed by The Learning Partnership in 1994, Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual event that gives students the opportunity to discover a range of career possibilities and navigate their career interests. The event also gives businesses an opportunity to share knowledge and advice around education, career choices and relevant skills required in today’s workplace. 2019 marks the 25th national Take Our Kids to Work Day.
Take Our Kids to Work Day is Canada’s most recognized career exploration event, with an estimated 200,000 students visiting workplaces every year.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreWCWC featured as guest blogger on the NCCEH Website: Training and Support for Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities in Ontario
As of September 2019, there were 56 long-term drinking water advisories (LTDWA) for public systems on First Nations reserves across Canada. These are either Boil Water advisories or Do Not Consume advisories that have been in effect for more than a year. Of these 56 LTDWA, more than half have been in effect for over a decade and while this is a cross-Canada issue, there is a greater number in Ontario (42) than all other provinces combined.
The Government of Canada has stated a goal of removing all 56 LTDWA by March 2021 but the reasons for the advisories are complex, and can relate to source water issues, system design or failing infrastructure as well as maintenance and operational issues. Building local capacity is one important measure towards ensuring long-term safe drinking water supply in affected communities.
This month, WCWC was invited by The National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH) to blog on the training and support being offered to First Nations Communities in Ontario, as an illustration of one approach to capacity building efforts for improving drinking water quality through training and technical support. Visit www.ncceh.ca/content/blog/guest-blog-training-and-support-managing-drinking-water-systems-first-nations to view!
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Releases Annual Report
WCWC is pleased to release its 2018–19 annual report, available online at wcwc.ca/en/about/governance-documents/.
The annual report highlights WCWC’s work to strengthen its programs to coordinate and provide education, training and information to drinking water system owners, operators and operating authorities, and the public, across Ontario. WCWC’s CEO, Carl Kuhnke, noted “WCWC trained, once again, a record number of water professionals while still maintaining a healthy bottom line financially. WCWC increases its cost-effectiveness every year.”
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Mike Smith Appointed As Chair Of The Walkerton Clean Water Centre Board Of Directors
WCWC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Smith as the Chair of the board of directors.
Mr. Smith was formerly employed at Bruce Nuclear Power Development. He spent 23 years in Operations at the Bruce Heavy Water Plant and 16 years as a Senior Chemical Operator. After that position, Mr. Smith spent 10 years on site in the Nuclear Safety Training department developing and delivering safety training to plant personnel.
Mr. Smith served as an elected municipal official for 27 years. He served as Mayor of Saugeen Shores 12 years and Bruce County Warden in 2010 and 2011.
Mr. Smith is involved in the community and has served on a number of boards and committees, including the Bruce Community Development Corporation Board, Grey Bruce Public Health Unit (Chair), Saugeen Shores Police Services Board (Chair), and Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.
WCWC looks forward to welcoming Mr. Smith and the knowledge and experience he will bring to the board of directors.
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreSmall System Fundamentals Course Launched
WCWC is pleased to release a new course designed for owners and operators of small non-municipal drinking water systems as defined under Ontario Regulation 170/03.
The course, Small System Fundamentals, includes a review of the characteristics of source waters, primary and secondary disinfection and challenges associated with treatment equipment commonly used in small drinking water systems. Participants will learn how to conduct monitoring and operational checks and the process for responding to Adverse Water Quality Incidents (AWQIs). Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities related to equipment maintenance, operational checks and AWQI follow-ups.
Small System Fundamentals replaces the course, Practical Training for Small Drinking Water System Owners and Operators, and meets the requirements for maintaining the Trained Person
designation and Continuing Education Units for Limited System Operators. Other WCWC courses that can be used to maintain the Trained Person designation include: Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems; Best Practices for Small Systems; and Small Systems Hands-on Workshop.
To register for any of WCWC’s upcoming training, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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Small Systems Hands-On Workshop Coming To Huntsville
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to be hosting a 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. The workshop will provide opportunities for training that can be used to maintain the Trained Person designation.
The workshop will consist of a choice of five training modules focusing on the operation and maintenance of small drinking water systems. Participants will choose three modules and rotate through sessions, earning 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs.) Planned modules include:
- Completing Logbook and Logsheet Entries
- Sampling, Testing, Adverse Test Results and Corrective Actions
- Small System Filters
- Ultraviolet Disinfection Theory and Maintenance
- Well Maintenance
Modules are led by industry experts, including WCWC’s Small Systems Specialist, Stephanie Meades. Stephanie supports small drinking water system operators across Ontario, with a focus on Ontario Regulation 319/08 systems.
The workshop will be held on November 5, 2019, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., in Huntsville. The
Participants at the 2018 Small Systems Hands-On Workshop
cost to register is $203.00 + HST.
For more information, or to register, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca
Read MoreManaging Legionella Risk In Buildings Through Water Safety Management Planning
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.
Course presentations are now available online on the Drinking Water Resource Library (DWRL) and will help building owners, facility managers, drinking water system owners and operators, public health inspectors and healthcare professionals 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.
T
he Drinking Water Resource Library was developed to provide easy access to trusted resources related to drinking water. The library consists of a catalog of documents and features multiple search functions to ease the research of information. This initiative is part of WCWC’s strategy to enhance the transfer of knowledge to owners, operators and operating authorities of Ontario’s drinking water systems. The DWRL can be accessed from wcwc.ca or at www.drinkingwaterresourcelibrary.ca.