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.
Read MoreFree 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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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.
Read MoreWCWC 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.
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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 MoreBrian Bates Joins The Walkerton Clean Water Centre as New Manager of Training and Development
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is pleased to announce that Brian Bates has joined the team as Manager of Training and Development.
Brian has worked in the water treatment industry for more than 20 years, working with a variety of technologies, including membranes, dissolved air flotation
, filtration, sand ballasted floc reactors and conventional sedimentation. Most recently he has worked in product development and product management positions. Brian has a number of innovations, publications and patents to his credit.
Brian also has a passion for education and was Director of Product Development and Institutional Research at Fleming College, where he investigated demographic and labour market trends to support the strategic development of meaningful new college program offerings.
Brian possesses a B.S. degree in Environmental Resource Sciences from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and joins WCWC from a large multinational water and wastewater solutions provider based in the United States.
WCWC CEO, Carl Kuhnke, is thrilled to have Brian join the WCWC team, “Brian’s diverse experience in both learning, and the private sector will enhance our capabilities greatly as WCWC moves into new and challenging areas to ensure owners and operators across the province are well-placed to manage their water systems. Our world is more complex every day.”
For more information about WCWC, please visit wcwc.ca or contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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New Training Modules Added To Ninth Annual Maintenancefest
Due to the overwhelming response from clients, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) has added two new training modules to the lineup for the ninth annual Maintenancefest, August 27–28, 2019 in Walkerton, Ontario.
Maintenancefest is a unique hands-on event that allows participants to cycle through six training modules of their choice, earning 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over the course of two days. Planned modules include:
• Backflow and Cross Connection
• Basics of SCADA Programming
Participants work on the Basics of Utility Locates module at the 8th annual Maintenancefest
• Basics of Utility Locates
• Completing Logbook and Logsheet Entries
• Concrete Pressure Pipe Tapping Awareness
• Hydrostatic Pressure Testing
• Jar Testing
• Leak Detection
• Pressure Control Valves
• Unidirectional Flushing
• UV Maintenance
• Well and Well Pump Monitoring
Maintenancefest will run 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. both days, with lunch provided. Register now at wcwc.ca/registration, or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca. The cost to register is $455.00 + HST. Space is limited so register today!
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Drinking Water Quality Management Standard Workshop – 2019
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 ‘Making the Transition’.
The 2019 program is available for viewing below:
Making the Transition
DWQMS Program Status facilitated by Christopher Manning.
Risk Assessment – Thinking Outside the Box facilitated by André Pepin.
Corrective and Preventative Actions facilitated by Janine DeBoer.
Preparing for and Conducting a Transition Audit facilitated by Brigitte Roth.
Best Management Practices facilitated by Christopher Manning.
Emergency Preparedness facilitated by Larry Moore.
Infrastructure Planning facilitated by Ted Joynt.
License Renewals and Leveraging the QMS facilitated by Christopher Manning.
Supporting Documents
Guide to Supporting Information Required for a Municipal Drinking Water License
Pocket Guide: Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard
Preparing for and Conducting a Transition Audit – Internal Audit Summary and Checklist
Preparing for and Conducting a Transition Audit – Ishikawa Exercise
Preparing for and Conducting a Transition Audit – DWQMS Element-Based Checklist
Preparing for and Conducting a Transition Audit – DWQMS Process Audit Checksheet
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Drinking Water Quality Management Standard Workshop – 2018
The Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (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 ‘Managing Change’.
The 2018 program is available for viewing below:
Managing Change
DWQMS Program Status facilitated by Christopher Manning and Amanda Boyden.
Standards and Regulatory Change facilitated by Satish Deshpande.
Continual Improvement Case Study facilitated by Christopher Manning and Amanda Boyden.
Effective Steps in Implementing Change facilitated by Brigitte Roth.
Implementing Corrosion Control – Get the Lead Out facilitated by Tony Santos and Brian Jobb.
Preparing for Climate Change facilitated by Ted Joynt.
Preparing for your DWQMS Audit facilitated by Anastasia Hryciw de Reijke and Marco Brunato.
Supporting Documents
City of Thunder Bay Corrosion Control Plan Template
Drinking Water Quality Management Standard Guide
Guidance on Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Systems
Preparing Corrosion Control Plans for Drinking Water Systems
Preparing for Climate Change – Extreme Cold & Winter Storms Checklist
Preparing for Climate Change – Extreme Heat Checklist
Preparing for Climate Change – Tornado Checklist
Preparing for Climate Change – Wildfire Checklist
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