November 2007
November 28th, 2007
Climate change is of pressing concern in BC and our Premier has demonstrated his commitment to this issue through designation of dollars and human resources to address this matter, in its many forms. How we deal with our resources (and water is the most precious) has impact on (and is impacted by) climate change. BCWWA members have acknowledged the challenge and are working hard to meet it. Because BC has been seen as a place with lots of water (even, or maybe especially, by residents) there has been an impression in the past that water issues did not exist here in the ‘wet west’. A first step in many cases is demonstrating that there actually is an issue.
We have been asked ‘why would anyone be interested in the work that BCWWA members do?’ What would your answer be?
The first and easiest response is that we need water to live, all of us, everywhere. While those of us in the water and wastewater industry are aware of this even we sometimes forget how vital what we are involved with is. Water is essential and we have members involved with the design of systems that collect and clean the water, members who build the systems, and others who operate them. We have members who ensure that cross connection between water and wastewater does not happen and still others who legislate the systems that are operating – a lot of people in a variety of capacities.
November 21st, 2007
The Conference is coming, like it does every year. Plan for April 26 – 30, 2008 because there will be a lot to see. Each year the BCWWA Annual Conference has something new and something not so new. This year’s new is all about the scheduling – our opening ceremonies will happen on Sunday and that means that we will have two full days of technical sessions – Monday and Tuesday. Plus there are six technical transfer sessions planned for Wednesday. As a delegate you will have an opportunity to learn about the potential of a research fund to deal with emerging contaminants in wastewater or on Wednesday to learn about SCADA systems and much much more.
The not so new is all about things that have been appreciated by all in the past. We will once again make a donation to Water For People Canada on behalf of each of our registrants – last year that meant more than $13,000 to help provide water and hygiene to people in less fortunate circumstances. Another well received component of the conference last year was the casino – we have decided to do this again because it was so much fun. Plus the tours, this time of Olympic sites, and the Top Ops and Pump Teardown competitions promise to provide entertainment and information wrapped into one. Plan to attend the conference and you can be part of this all. I look forward to seeing you there.
November 14th, 2007
BCWWA is the preeminent source of training for water and wastewater operators in BC and the Yukon. This does not mean we are the only group that offers the courses, but – and this is a big BUT – we are the only ones who require that our trainers are actually hands-on experienced operators themselves. No matter what the course, if it is a BCWWA offered course the instructor will be someone who is knowledgeable about the course content and also experienced in actual operation. The book learning is very important, but the experience gained through day to day operation is equally valuable. BCWWA courses provide the basic information, the insights of an experienced instructor and plenty of opportunity to network with others in similar positions. We recognize that much learning happens outside the classroom and we appreciate that some knowledge only comes from someone who has done the job, either the instructor or the classmates. In fact our instructors often comment on what they have learned from what a student has shared with the class.
BCWWA courses provide value to operators, who need the training to maintain certification requirements, and to employers, who require employees with the appropriate certification to do a variety of jobs. In addition to our regularly scheduled courses and ‘schools’ (listed on the web site and in our quarterly magazine, Watermark) we are always eager to look at the possibility of provision of courses in response to special requests.
BCWWA’s mission statement “Safeguarding Public Health and the Environment through the Sharing of Skills, Knowledge and Experience in the Water and Wastewater Industries” is something that we truly believe in. As a training provider we ensure that our courses truly do provide ways to share the skills and the knowledge and the experience of the industry.
