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DWMC Terms of Reference

Decentralized Wastewater Management Committee
September 5, 2003

Affiliation

The Decentralized Wastewater Management Committee (DWMC) is a committee of the British Columbia Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) and operates under the constitution and by-laws of the BCWWA.

Purpose

The purpose of the DWMC is to advance technical knowledge and practice, and understanding of legislation and regulation in the area of small scale, domestic wastewater collection, treatment and re-use in British Columbia so as to protect the environment and public health and make wise use of financial, land and water resources.

Chairperson (Trustee) and Membership

The Chairperson (trustee) of the Committee is elected each year at the last Committee meeting of the calendar year, and subsequently appointed by the President for a one-year term. At the discretion of the Committee, and with the approval of the President, the incumbent trustee will generally hold a successive term. Members of the DWMC shall be members in good standing of the BCWWA. A Vice-Chairperson/Secretary is elected at the same time as the Chairperson, with the intent that the Vice-Chairperson/Secretary may succeed the Chairperson in the subsequent term.

Executive Policy

All committee activities (including budgets, revenues, expenditures, communication, contracts, seminars and events) shall be in accordance with BCWWA policies. Verbal or written releases from the Committee shall receive prior review and approval by the BCWWA Executive. The current Committee Authority Policy for BCWWA Committees and the BCWWA Expense Approval Matrix are, by reference, included in these terms of reference.

Scope of Subject Matter

The committee addresses domestic wastewater collection, treatment and re-use using systems ranging from a conventional single family septic system to a system serving a subdivision or community with a population of one thousand or less. As well, larger systems of low complexity generally defined as falling within Class I of the BC Environmental Operators Certification Program, are included within the scope. Technology, legislation, regulation, finance, operation and management are all within the subject scope.

Objectives

1. Provide a basis, in guidelines and standards, for an improved industry standard of practice.
2. Provide a basis, through regular meetings and planned events, for communication and technology transfer.
3. Support the development of facilities, course materials and certification criteria for training and certification of inspectors, designers, installers and operators.
4. Educate the public, including users of wastewater systems and elected and appointed representatives of the public who act for the public to obtain and operate facilities within the scope.
5. Improve regulation of the industry through improved recognition of current technology.
6. Develop technology appropriate for British Columbia and The Yukon.
7. Provide an operating clearinghouse for information within the scope of subject matter.

Activities

1. Hold periodic meetings (typically ten per year), and file agendas and minutes with the Executive Director of the BCWWA.
2. Prepare a business plan with budget for the committee's activities and file the plan with the Executive Director, in accordance with current BCWWA policies.
3. Send a representative (usually the Chairperson) to each BCWWA Technical Planning Committee meeting.
4. Provide an annual report to the Executive Director by April 1 of each year.
5. Advise the Ministry of Health Planning on development and implementation of regulations and policies
6. Compile education resource materials, and post them on the BCWWA website, for:
   1. The public (system users)
   2. System designers, installers and operators
   3. Planners and designers of infrastructure, regulations and standards.
7. Foster partnerships with other organizations such as the British Columbia Onsite Sewage Association (BCOSSA), the Coast Waste Management Association (CWMA), Royal Roads University (RRU) and the Capital Regional District (CRD) to further the education of elected representatives, environmental health officers, planners and engineers regarding management of onsite and decentralized systems under an outcome-based regulatory structure.
8. Produce educational seminars or workshops as part of the BCWWA Annual Conference, to cover existing and new developments in management, technology and legislation and be of wide interest to people working in the area.
9. Contribute articles to the Watermark.
10. Develop and maintain a database of people and organizations interested in the subject area for the primary purpose of promoting events relevant to the subject matter.
11. Do such other activities as are deemed appropriate to advance the Committee’s objectives and the principles of decentralized wastewater management and wastewater reclamation in British Columbia and The Yukon.
12. Maintain membership in the Committee, including participation from areas outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

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