BCWWA Strategic Planning Documents

Ends Policies

At the most recent Strategic Planning meeting held on October 28, 2007, the Board and Leadership Council agreed to endorse the following Ends Policies to help guide the Association during 2008. These policies received Board approval on May 26, 2008.

• 1. Qualified and Competent Workforce
• 2. Regulatory Standards for Cross-Connection Control
• 3. Awareness of BCWWA and the Water and Wastewater Industry
• 4. The Industry as a Network of Individuals and Organizations
• 5. Relationship to AWWA and WEF ‘Parent’ Organizations
• 6. Regulatory Change, Emerging Issues and Innovation
• 7. Cost and Priority

Click here to download a PDF version of the Ends Policies.

Ends Policy E-1: - Qualified and Competent Workforce

1. Practitioners in the water and wastewater industry in BC and Yukon are qualified and competent. This is further interpreted that:

1.1. There are opportunities for accountable, high quality, accessible, industry-based training, education and knowledge sharing for water and wastewater operators, technical and professional persons and cross-connection control practitioners. (P1)

• 1.1.1. Training and knowledge sharing opportunities are accessible at a reasonable cost to trainees and practitioners in each region of BC and in Yukon. (P1)

• 1.1.2. Training programs and knowledge sharing opportunities meet or exceed BC and Yukon industry standards in terms of current and comprehensive content, consistency, repeatability and professional presentation. (P1)

• 1.1.3. Transfer of industry knowledge occurs between qualified, experienced industry professionals and trainees through continuing education. (P1)

• 1.1.4. There is involvement of high-level, senior personnel in both the volunteer and learning opportunities provided by the BCWWA. (P2)

• 1.1.5. BCWWA trainers, examiners and proctors are competent and experienced industry practitioners as measured by BCWWA against appropriate criteria and guidelines, such as those set out by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). (P1)

1.2. BCWWA members drive innovation in the water and wastewater industry by playing key roles in leading and innovative projects. (P2)

1.3. BCWWA water and wastewater operators are recognized as among the most proficient in Canada. (P3)

1.4. Small water and wastewater systems are governed, managed and operated at the same level of competency as larger utilities. (P3)

1.5. There is a sufficient number of trained operators and cross connection control practitioners to support industry needs throughout BC and Yukon. (P2)

Ends Policy E-2 – Regulatory Standards for Cross Connection Control

2. There are high standards in place for the practice of cross connection control in BC and Yukon.

2.1. The regulations and guidelines for cross connection control in BC and the Yukon will be in accordance with the BC Building Code, CSA Standards and other guidelines for cross connection control developed by AWWA and/or Canadian organizations. (P2)

2.2. BCWWA certified backflow prevention testers are universally recognized in BC and Yukon as qualified and competent to test all sizes and types of backflow prevention assemblies. (P1)

2.3. Policies and programs are in place to ensure that certified backflow prevention testers remain competent as long as they practice in BC and Yukon. (P2)

• 2.3.1. There is a mandatory Certified Tester recertification program in BC and Yukon. (P2)

• 2.3.2. Continuing education and professional development is available to support the industry need for mandatory recertification. (P1)

2.4. BCWWA-certified cross connection control practitioners adhere to practice standards. (P2)

2.5. Reclaimed water is included in BC CCC standards. (P2)

Ends Policy E-3 – Awareness of BCWWA and the Water and Wastewater Industry

3. The BCWWA is widely recognized as the authoritative voice and face of the water and wastewater industry for industry awareness and information sharing in BC and Yukon.

3.1. Industry employers recognize the value of BCWWA membership, volunteerism, training, networking and career development (P2)

3.2. Governments routinely seek expert input through the BCWWA on water and wastewater industry issues, policies, regulations and practices. (P1)

3.3. The general public has confidence in the water and wastewater industry to provide high quality service, and to reliably and cost-effectively protect public health and the environment. (P3)

3.4. The general public is aware of the health, safety and environmental factors impacting the water and wastewater industry. (P3)

3.5. Academia recognizes the BCWWA and the industry as a source of practical knowledge and input to research and educational curriculum. (P2)

3.6. BC and Yukon members recognize the value of the role that the BCWWA plays in the industry as a facilitator of knowledge sharing and as the centre of an extensive network of interested individuals and organizations. (P1)

3.7. Industry practitioners and employers, governments, academia and the general public each have an appropriate level of awareness and appreciation of the value of water, and of water and wastewater infrastructure; and of the need for sustainable management and use of water resources. (P3)

Ends Policy E-4 – The Industry as a Network of Individuals and Organizations

4. Individuals and organizations related to the water and wastewater industry in BC and Yukon work together efficiently and cooperatively toward a common goal of safe, sustainable, reliable and cost-effective water and wastewater management.

4.1. Information is disseminated in a timely manner on new and emerging technologies, practices and standards relevant to the water and wastewater industry. (P1)

4.2. Opportunities exist for information and knowledge sharing relevant to the entire water and wastewater industry. (P3)

4.3. Opportunities exist for collaboration with other parties having similar interests and outcomes to BCWWA. (P1)

Ends Policy E-5 – Relationship to AWWA and WEF ‘Parent’ Organizations

5. BCWWA, as a Member Association of the Water Environment Federation, and through the BC Section of the American Water Works Association, is a conduit for the activities of the ‘parent’ organizations in BC and Yukon.

5.1. The missions, visions, values and goals of the parent organizations guide BCWWA. (P1)

5.2. Leadership of the ‘parent’ organizations includes strong and active representation from BC and Yukon. (P1)

5.3. The BCWWA maintains healthy and supportive relationships with the ‘parent’ organizations. (P1)

Ends Policy E-6 – Regulatory Change, Emerging Issues and Innovation

6. The industry has access to timely information, expert knowledge and balanced dialogue on regulatory changes, emerging issues and technologies in BC and Yukon, as identified by the Board and the members.

6.1. The Board, with advice from the Leadership Council, has identified on an annual basis the emerging issues that are to be addressed by the Association. (P1)

6.2. In 2008, the Association has knowledge exchange opportunities and near-term strategies in the following emerging interest or critical areas: (P1)

• Climate change as related to water, waste and wastewater
  
• Energy technologies as related to water, waste and wastewater
• Wastewater collection technologies
• Small community infrastructure
• Emerging contaminants in receiving water and drinking water.

6.3. In 2009, the Association has priorities and long-term strategies in the following interest areas: (P2)

• self-regulation by professionals and transfer of responsibility to lower levels of government and the private sector
• standards and requirements for infrastructure valuation and asset management
• changing workforce demographics, succession planning and the changing roles and competencies of senior managers
• watershed protection.

Ends Policy E-7 – Cost and Priority

7. Priority levels are assigned to each Ends Policy, and to individual sub-ends; forming a basis for decisions by the CEO in assigning budgets and resources to BCWWA activities in achieving or progressing toward the BCWWA’s ends.

7.1. Ends Policies 1, 2 and 5 are each considered to be of top overall priority, meaning that they must be substantially achieved. Policies 3, 4 and 6 are considered secondary in overall priority, meaning that measurable, reportable progress toward the must be achieved toward the general end statement of each Policy, with regard to the levels of priority assigned to specific sub-ends.

7.2. The priority level for achieving each individual sub-end is assigned a number between 1 and 3, where 1 is the highest priority. The priority level is indicated in brackets after each sub-end statement - i.e. (P1), (P2) or (P3).

• 7.2.1. Priority 1 sub-ends must be achieved within the next fiscal year after the Board adopts these Policies. Generally, these are sub-ends that have been consistently achieved in the past.

• 7.2.2. Priority 2 sub-ends should be achieved within three fiscal years after these Policies are adopted by the Board, and measurable progress toward them should be reported to the Board at the end of the first fiscal year.

• 7.2.3. Priority 3 sub-ends are not expected to be achieved within the next three years, but measurable progress toward them should be reported to the Board at the end of the first fiscal year.

Updated: June 19, 2008