Messages from Mike Nolan
BCWWA President 2008 - 2009
May 28, 2008
A Climate for Change
BCWWA members are well-positioned to learn about the causes and effects of climate change, and through our work influence community programs to adapt to these changes. But why is this important to municipal managers, planners, engineers and operators?
In an address to the Vancouver Board of Trade last week, Mark Yakabuski of the Insurance Bureau of Canada highlighted the need for a national action plan to ensure that water and sewer systems will continue to operate in the event of severe weather prompted by climate change. He pointed out that our community water, sewer, electrical and transportation systems were built according to now out-of-date weather pattern assumptions. Given the long service life of this infrastructure, our critical community systems are facing a higher likelihood of damage. He pointed to recent BC severe weather situations which resulted in failure of our traditionally-reliable infrastructure systems. Mr. Yakabuski also connected this trend with the nation-wide underinvestment in water and sewer infrastructure. This combination is resulting in a rapidly-growing national infrastructure liability, now in excess of $30 billion. That’s why.
Our recent conference in Whistler, themed ‘Climates of Change’, was one example of a great learning opportunity. The upcoming American Water Works Association (AWWA) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia offers a full session on climate change adaption for water utilities. On-line articles, hardcopy reference materials and symposia offered by the AWWA, Water Environment Federation (WEF), American Public Works Association (APWA) and Solid Waste Association of N.A. (SWANA), for example, provide resources related to community infrastructure planning and operations in light of climate change. Provincially, there are significant on-line resources available through the BC Climate Action Secretariat at:
www.climateactionsecretariat.gov.bc.ca.
If you are interested in getting involved at the BCWWA level, our fledgling Climate Change Committee, under the direction of Chair Eric Bonham, is in the early stages of planning collaborative methods to address climate change impacts in our communities. Feel free to contact Eric through the BCWWA office to discuss how you can be on the leading edge.
May 21, 2008
230 Operators at Vancouver
Symposium Last Week
BCWWA is a busy organization to say the least. Our 2008 annual Vancouver Operators’ Symposium followed close on the heels of the Whistler Conference. Our Instructors, staff and Operator Education Committee Chair Darcy Dragonetti spent a busy week conducting training and facilitating networking at UBC. Manufacturer, Supplier and Consultant representatives presented an outstanding Trade Show, which enabled interaction and information-sharing amongst attendees and exhibitors. BCWWA staff and volunteers were involved, ensuring that all of the necessary materials were on-site, hosting the opening ceremonies and addressing the inevitable challenges that arise at such an event.
This year’s symposium saw 230 students participate in 17 different courses through the week. Some of the courses were week-long, while others were one- or two-day sessions. Each course is valuable in enhancing the knowledge of BC water and wastewater operators.
We look forward to continuing to offer this important learning opportunity to Operators from BC and beyond. The 2009 event is already in the planning stage; details will be available soon.
In the meantime, congratulations to all of the symposium participants. Your collaborative efforts are appreciated by your peers and the public who depend on your service when you return home.
May 14, 2008
DESERVING OF AWARD
In his January column, Past-President Jack Bryden asked for award nominations from our members. After consideration by our Awards Committees, the following awards were presented at the Annual Conference in Whistler.
- Rudy Palsenbarg - WEF William D. Hatfield Award - presented to an operator of a wastewater treatment plant for outstanding performance and professionalism
- James Tomma - BCWWA Victor M. Terry Award - recognizes an operator who has demonstrated ingenuity and proficiency in plant operations and maintenance
- Bruce Wilson and Albert van Roodselaar - BCWWA Bridge Building Award - recognizes individuals who help build linkages between our Association and other groups
- BC Ministry of Environment and City of Abbotsford - BCWWA Corporate Recognition Award - honours a key organization, company or municipality that has contributed to the success of BCWWA
- Eric Bonham - AWWA George Warren Fuller Award - presented to an AWWA member who has provided outstanding leadership and made a significant contribution towards the advancement of waterworks practice
- Jim Levin - BCWWA Stanley S. Copp Award - recognizes an individual’s outstanding and continued service to BCWWA
- Victor Wong, Colin Kristiansen and Stella Chiu - BCWWA Personal Recognition Award - recognizes key individuals who have contributed to the success of BCWWA
- Copperdome Lodge - BCWWA Small Water Systems Award – a small water system in B.C. demonstrating outstanding effort in the delivery of safe drinking water
- Dennis Mitchell - Water for People Kenneth J. Miller Award - outstanding volunteer service contributed to this international humanitarian initiative
- Geoff Mantle, Ted Molyneux and John Delver - BCWWA ‘5S’ Award - outstanding, meritorious service, above and beyond the call of duty
- Eric Speight and Kayle Robson - Okanagan College Water Quality and Environmental Engineering Technology Bursary
- Colleen Chan and Parvez Fattah - UBC Environmental Engineering Graduate Studies Bursary
Please join me in congratulating these deserving people on receiving their awards, and in them joining our distinguished past award recipients.
BCWWA Board of Directors
BCWWA held a secret ballot election, by mail, in April of this year. At the AGM on April 29, 2008 the 2008 - 2009 Board was announced. A complete listing follows for your information:
President |
Mike Nolan |
President Elect |
Colwyn Sunderland |
Past President |
Jack Bryden |
Secretary |
Ted Molyneux |
Director-at-Large |
Rob Mellander |
Director-at-Large |
Len Stein |
AWWA Representative |
Don Degen |
WEF Representative |
Chris Johnston |
Messages from Jack Bryden
BCWWA President 2007 - 2008
April 23, 2008
At the lunch meeting at the Conference on Tuesday, April 29th we will be hearing about a proposal to establish a Wastewater Research Fund in BC. This proposal aims to promote research that will then be used to provide the necessary data to make knowledge-based decisions for future wastewater systems, and for upgrades to existing ones.
Why?
Because there are increasing numbers of anthropogenic substances in fresh and marine waters that current treatment cannot, or does not, address. Plus, BC is different from other parts of the country and the decisions made here need to acknowledge this difference.
Earlier this year the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) established a development committee to prepare a Canada-wide strategy for management of municipal wastewater effluent (MWWE). One of the three cornerstones for development of such a strategy deals specifically with coordination of science and research in this area.
The proposal being presented to BCWWA would help to ensure that in BC we are making decisions that incorporate the most current research, specific to BC. The proposed fund would support data collection and assessment, and help to ensure that in BC we are ahead of the curve when it comes to the science that can affect our lives.
I hope to see you all on Tuesday, the 29th to learn more about this proposal and I am pleased to refer you to the article about the proposal that was in the most recent issue of Watermark.
BCWWA works toward our mission of safeguarding public health and the environment through the sharing of skills, knowledge and experience. This proposal looks like another way to accomplish this aim. Check it out!
April 17, 2008
BCWWA is an organization dedicated to protecting the water and water systems in what is billed as “The Best Place on Earth”. What is becoming more and more apparent is that water is one of the resources most affected by climate change – in some places it seems there is more than ever, in others, there is just not enough.
BCWWA has become involved, along with the Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) and the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) in work to increase the level of knowledge, and understanding, of the climate change issue.
One of the Technical Transfer sessions, taking place on the 30th of April at the Whistler Conference, is entitled “Our Climate is Changing…Now What?”. This one day symposium will focus upon the practitioner and the anticipated impacts of climate change upon water and wastewater infrastructure throughout British Columbia. Details of the one day symposium agenda and registration information are available here.
We will also be hearing about BCWWA’s approach to Climate Change issues at 10:00 am on the April 24th Bill Good Show on CKNW, AM 980. Committee Chair and longtime BCWWA member/supporter Eric Bonham will be sharing insights into climate change issues. BCWWA is pleased to support his involvement with these many initiatives and I encourage you to listen in on the 24th and attend on the 30th, so that you too have a greater understanding of this important issue.
April 11, 2008
The work that BCWWA does aims to ensure that the water we rely on is safe to drink and to use in the many ways that we use it. So the fact that BC has 530 existing boil water advisories is of concern. We are aware of the deterioration of water related infrastructure as it affects larger communities. In many cases though, the problem is related to lack of infrastructure, or lack of training to maintain and operate the infrastructure that exists in smaller communities. First Nations often have problems with water quality, so too do other small and remote communities.
Ongoing boil-water advisories, used as a substitute for the
necessary treatment and training, put us all at risk.
BCWWA acts as a supplier, where possible, for water and wastewater system training all over the province and Yukon. Some training material is specific to the challenges of small water systems and at this year’s Annual Conference a one day stream, offered at a reduced rate for small system operators, will do just that. Check out the listing of activities at our Conference to see what is happening there with regard to small system training.
Changing availability of water as a result of growing populations, climate change and aging infrastructure means that we cannot afford to waste what we have. We are glad to be able to utilize boil water advisories for increased safety when needed, let’s not rely on these same advisories as the front line action in the quest to provide safe water for all.
April 3, 2008
Many more CEUs available
at this year’s Conference!
Attendance at the BCWWA Annual Conference has many benefits. This event provides an opportunity to connect with colleagues in the industry, to see and learn about new and renewed equipment and to meet people who are involved with different portions of the water and wastewater industry. After all, our membership includes people who design systems, people who build them, people who operate the systems and people who legislate them – being at this Conference helps to increase the linkages amongst all of these varied players in the industry.
Another of the other great benefits of the Conference is the CEUs that can be gained through attendance at various sessions. The EOCP has advised that they have agreed to provide CEUs for attendance at Technical Sessions on Monday and Tuesday as well as for attendance at the Wednesday Technical Transfer sessions. As a result, this year’s conference could provide a maximum of 1.8 CEUs if an operator attends the three full days of technical presentations.
I encourage everyone to review the Conference technical program to see the huge range of informative sessions that are being offered this year. You can choose from seven (7!!) concurrent sessions running Monday and Tuesday, plus four Technical Transfer sessions on Wednesday will deal with topics including Climate Change, SCADA Operations, Energy Efficiency in the Water and Wastewater Industry and Safe Water in First Nation Communities.
The Conference is coming soon (April 26 – 30), make your choices and plan to be there!
Past Months:
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
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