First Nations and Federal Systems Resources
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre is committed to supporting First Nations drinking water systems in Ontario. For a list of provincial regulations, see our Regulatory Resources for Ontario Systems post.
The following organizations can provide more information or assistance.
General:
- Indigenous Services Canada
- Chiefs of Ontario
- Health Canada – Environmental and Workplace Health department
Technical Services:
Training:
- Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office
- Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario
- Keewaytinook Centre of Excellence
- Circuit Rider Training Program
Water Quality:
Drinking Water System Resources
About Drinking Water Advisories
Advice for the Operation of Potable Water Field Test Equipment
AWWAO: Helping Train and Certify Ontario First Nations Operators
Bottled Water: Selection & Application in Federal Facilities
Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
Chlorine in Drinking Water in First Nation Communities
Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Design Guidelines for First Nations Water Works
Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water
Disinfection for Micro-Systems
Domestic Reclaimed Water for use in Toilet and Urinal Flushing
Drinking Groundwater and Well Water Safety
Eco Report Details First Nations Water Issues and Offers Hope
Emergency Response Plan for Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
Ending Long-Term Drinking Water Advisories
Environment Canada: Water and the Environment
First Nation Community Infrastructure
First Nation Infrastructure Fund
First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans and Reports
First Nations On-Reserve Source Water Protection Plan
Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality – Third Edition
Inspecting Your Well: A Step-By-Step Checklist
Issuing and Rescinding Boil Water Advisories in Canadian Drinking Water Supplies
Issuing and Rescinding Drinking Water Avoidance Advisories in Emergency Situations
Lifecycle of a First Nation Community Infrastructure Project
Maintenance Management Plan for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
National First Nations Water Leadership Award
Potassium from Water Softeners
Practice Quizzes for Math, OIT and Class 1 Certifications
Preventive Maintenance Tasks for Tribal Drinking Water Systems Guide Booklet (US EPA)
Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities
Providing Safe Drinking Water in Areas of Federal Jurisdiction
Protocols and Guidelines for Water Systems
Questions and Answers on Drinking Water Treatment Devices
Report Pollution and Spills – Spills Action Centre
Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
Safe Drinking Water – Your Responsibility
Short-Term Drinking Water Advisories by Region
Sustaining Healthy Communities Through a New Clean Water and Wastewater Fund
The OFNTSC: Delivering the Know-How to Achieve Clean Water in First Nations Communities
Training and Support for Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities in Ontario
Ultraviolet & Reverse Osmosis for Micro-Systems
Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Services Standards (Corporate Manual System)
Water Filtration & Ion Exchange for Micro-Systems
Water Quality 101: Potable Water Micro-System Fundamentals
Water Sampling in Federal Facilities
Water Treatment Plant at Six Nations of the Grand River
Working With First Nations to Improve Drinking Water
Wastewater System Resources
Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program
Circuit Rider Training Program
Emergency Response Plan for Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Environment Canada: Wastewater
First Nation Community Infrastructure
First Nation Infrastructure Fund
First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans and Reports
Lifecycle of a First Nation Community Infrastructure Project
Maintenance Management Plan for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Centralised Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Protocol for Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities
Report Pollution and Spills – Spills Action Centre
Septic Tank and Leaching Bed Safety
Sustaining Healthy Communities Through a New Clean Water and Wastewater Fund
Wastewater in First Nations Communities
Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Services Standards (Corporate Manual System)
WCWC Pilot Testing Projects Completed for First Nation Communities
A Study to Reduce Disinfection By-Products in a First Nation Community’s Drinking Water Supply *NEW*
Conventional and Dissolved Air Flotation Jar Testing
Conventional Treatment Optimization for Big Grassy First Nation
Decentralized Pilot Testing for Wauzhushk Onigum Nation
Optimizing Coagulant Doses by Jar Tests
Optimizing Regeneration Process of Greensand Filtration to Reduce Disinfection By-Products *NEW*
Reduction of Iron and Manganese Using Conventional Treatment and Greensand Filtration
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Supporting Drinking Water Operator Ethics
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce the launch of its first course available on-demand, Ethics for Drinking Water Operators.
Ontario’s drinking water operators hold a position of trust in safeguarding public health and should recognize the importance of highly ethical behaviour as part of their role. This course will introduce participants to the concept of ethics and core ethical values. Participants will review incidents where unethical operator behaviour has jeopardized public health. The relationship between ethics and the law will be discussed, as well as the personal and legal consequences resulting from unethical behaviour. The session will include strategies for creating an ethical environment in the workplace.
This course has been developed for drinking water operators of all levels, but will be of interest to drinking water supervisors, managers and other drinking water stakeholders. Successful participants will receive 0.3 Continuing Education Units.
Ethics for Drinking Water Operators is WCWC’s first course to feature a user interface with integrated registration and curriculum. Participants are able to register and complete the course at their convenience. Work is underway to expand the number of courses available in this new format.
For further information about WCWC’s e-learning offerings, 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 (DWQMS) Provincial Workshop Proceedings – 2020
The Drinking Water Quality Management (DWQMS) Provincial Workshop is a WCWC course held annually to provide DWQMS representatives with an opportunity to share and discuss their experiences. This forum allows them to share best practices and solutions for challenges encountered during implementation or continued maintenance of a quality management system. The program consists of different facilitators leading sessions on a variety of topics tying into a common theme. The theme for this year’s workshop was ‘Vision 2020’.
DWQMS Workshop Breakout Session Summary – 2020
Workshop Presentations
DWQMS Program Status Update – Vision 2020 facilitated by Christopher Manning & Amanda Boyden.
Continual Improvement: Wastewater & Linear Infrastructure facilitated by Ann Darby & Amanda Boyden.
Applying QMS Principles facilitated by Christopher Manning & Amanda Boyden.
Electronic Records Management facilitated by Janine deBoer.
Best Management Practices facilitated by Brigitte Roth.
What’s New? Ontario Watermain Disinfection Procedure facilitated by Tony Santos.
Asset Management Plans facilitated by Ted Joynt.
Transitions to V2.0 facilitated by Marco Brunato.
Supporting Documents
Request for Early Implementation of the Watermain Disinfection Procedure
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Mandatory Certificate Renewal (MCR) Course Resources
This course provides an overview of key regulatory updates and a review of requirements supporting the improvement of non-compliances identified in MECP inspections. The role of Ontario’s operators in protecting public health will be highlighted, and participants will be introduced to the concept of Operator Ethics.
Resources
AWWA Free Water Audit Software
CBC – Carleton Place Crash on Highway 7
GeoPro Lone Work Safety System
Hamilton’s Corrosion Control Program
Information for Property Owners about Lead Water Service Line Replacement
Ontario Traffic Manual – Book 7 – Temporary Conditions
Disponible en français.
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Free Small Systems Training from the Government of Canada
‘This site contains water quality training materials that provides basic information that can help a person learn how to operate and maintain a micro-system (water systems serving up to and including 25 people). The training has been developed by Canadian federal departments as part of a multi-barrier approach to providing safe drinking water in areas of federal jurisdiction, including on federal lands, in federal facilities and/or in First Nations communities. This includes Federal government employees working in Canada, as well as Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Forces personnel, and Canadian diplomatic mission staff working abroad.
The training is provided in two parts: the main training is in a video or e-Learning format with the second part being an accompanying document that can be printed for more in-depth training.’
Water Quality Training Modules
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WCWC Dedicated to Providing Client Support
The WCWC Training Operations department supports our clients by coordinating mandatory and specialized training for water system owners, operators and operating authorities across Ontario. Kelly Weber, Training Support Representative, answers some common questions about WCWC training.
With all the COVID-19 restrictions, are you offering in-class training?
Yes we are continuing to offer in-class training and WCWC has incorporated a COVID-19 Training Session Protocol to enhance safety for our participants and staff. This protocol includes a pre-screening for our venues, participants and staff, social distancing and disinfection measures, and follows all guidelines for “Training in COVID-19” of the Ministry of Labour.
I am not comfortable attending a class right now, what are my options?
WCWC has been offering several of our popular courses virtually, and more are under development! These are live virtual training sessions with interaction between the instructor and participants and there is a class maximum of 15. View our upcoming schedule by visiting wcwc.ca/registration.
How do I register for upcoming courses?
You can register right on our website! Visit wcwc.ca/registration and click on the course, then “register now”.
Can I have a copy of my training certificate?
For certificates for courses delivered by WCWC, you can log in to “my profile” anytime and view your course history and reprint a copy of your certificate. Or please email training@wcwc.ca or call WCWC directly at 1-866-515-0550.
For further information about any WCWC courses, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Hosting Virtual Workshop: Drinking Water Quality Management Standard – Vision 2020
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to be hosting a live, virtual workshop, Drinking Water Quality Management Standard – Vision 2020, on two occasions this fall.
This live, virtual workshop will be geared toward Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) representatives, utility managers, drinking water operators, regulators and municipal decision makers. Participants will learn about applying QMS principles, change management strategies, records management, best management practices, the Ontario Watermain Disinfection Procedure, asset management, transitions to DWQMS 2.0, and continual improvement to wastewater and linear infrastructure. As well, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) will provide an update on the DWQMS program.
This will be WCWC’s ninth year hosting this provincial workshop in support of its clients. Feedback from past participants has been excellent. One 2019 participant noted, “…really look forward to the workshop every year. It’s always a great experience and I take so many best management practices back to use.”
Two workshops are scheduled for 2020:
- November 4 & 5, 2020
- November 25 & 26, 2020
The cost to register is $450.00 + HST.
For further information, or to register for this workshop, please visit wcwc.ca/registration or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
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WCWC Enhancing Safety For Training Participants and Instructors
WCWC has resumed in-person classroom training with a new COVID-19 Training Session Protocol to enhance safety for participants and instructors. Stephanie Meades, Small Systems Specialist, talks more about the new self-screening, physical distancing and disinfection measures.
What does self-screening involve?
Participants will be required to complete a self-screening questionnaire prior to the training session. Self-screening will include questions regarding COVID-19 signs and symptoms, travel history and contact with individuals with respiratory illness or a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. If a participant does not pass the self-screening, they cannot attend the training session.
What can I expect at the training session?
Each training session will begin with a presentation regarding health and safety related to COVID-19. The instructor will attempt to maintain physical distancing at all times, but if it cannot be met for hands-on activities, Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required.
Is PPE provided?
WCWC will provide masks, protective eyewear and hand sanitizer for participants. If a participant refuses to wear PPE when required, they will be asked to leave the training session.
Will there be any extra disinfection measures in place?
Facilities will be cleaned and sanitized before and after the training session. Signs will be posted to ensure policies and procedures related to COVID-19 are communicated to all participants.
How many participants will be in each training session?
The number of participants will be restricted according to the size of the room to respect physical distancing requirements. If unregistered participants arrive, they will not be allowed to enter the training session.
A variety of training sessions across Ontario are now open for registration. For further information, or to register for any of WCWC’s upcoming training sessions, 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 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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