[Walkerton, ON] — The Walkerton Clean Water Centre is pleased to announce an upcoming virtual webinar.
Title: Understanding the Impacts of Wildfires on Drinking Water Wells: Building Resilience
Speaker: Juliette O’Keeffe, MSc, PhD
Date: December 9, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
Location: Virtual webinar
Cost: $30 + HST
Wildfires can affect both surface water and groundwater sources but impacts below ground can be more difficult to assess. These impacts may include damage to water distribution infrastructure and drinking water wells, or changes to water flow patterns in a catchment, affecting groundwater recharge. Understanding how wildfires affect groundwater quality and infrastructure can help water operators prepare for and recover more effectively after an event. This presentation explores the impacts of wildfires on groundwater and wells and highlights considerations for preparedness, response, and recovery. Emphasis is placed on proactive measures that can strengthen the resilience of drinking water systems, before, during and after a wildfire.
Dr. O’Keeffe is a Senior Scientist at the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH), where she has been leading the water portfolio since 2018 covering key environmental public health issues related to drinking water, recreational waters, and wastewater, including climate-related impacts on water sources and systems. Prior to joining the NCCEH, her work included more than 15 years of applied research and technical support on water and wastewater issues for industry and government in Scotland at the Urban Water Technology Centre at the University of Abertay, the Dundee Public Analyst, and the Scottish EPA.
Who Should Attend
This webinar will be of interest to senior operators, supervisors, managers, and those with oversight responsibility at their utility.
Training Credits
Ontario participants who successfully complete the quiz will receive a certificate for 1.0 on-the-job training hours.
For more information, or to register, please visit the course registration page or contact us at 1-866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.