Watermark > Spring 2003 > BCWWA News

BCWWA News: Committee and Chapter Reports, Conferences

• AGM Site Selection Committee report!
• Yukon Chapter of BCWWA
• 2nd Canadian Organic Residuals Recycling Conference
• British Columbia Water & Waste Association 31st Annual Conference & Exhibition, Penticton, BC 2003

AGM Site Selection Committee report

Barry Biddle, MSC Director

Someone asked me six months ago, would you consider helping choose the next venue for the AGM? Hey, I have experience working for the AGM where I participated in debriefing meetings after the conference; reviewing all those things that went wrong, but nobody really knew they had! One cannot forget those early morning drives through sleet and snow to get to the next AGM Committee Meeting, while I should have been driving to work in the rain. I must be qualified, because I said yes to another adventure. So did the other four members of the committee, namely Inder Singh, President, Harlan Kelly, President- elect and Murray McLeod, Director.

As we sat together during our first meeting, you could see on everybody’s face the same question, what are used as parameters for choosing the next AGM venue? First and foremost, BCWWA has established an informal policy to rotate conferences between the regions of Vancouver Island, BC Interior and Whistler (representing the Lower Mainland). This policy has been very workable, but our growth has demanded more square feet for trade shows, luncheons, technical sessions and banquets. These demands have progressively limited the venues available to BCWWA and the annual conference rotation has suffered. Site selection also includes such important parameters as hotel proximity to the conference venue, available rooms, cost of rooms, cost of conference facility and support services, local support committee, security, and, of course, the ambiance and uniqueness of the venue!

What about next year? Where do we go? Well our committee this year received bids from Victoria, Nanaimo, Sunpeaks Resort, Whistler and Kelowna. Some bids addressed all issues, others could not. When the dust settled, Nanaimo had to withdraw, as its new Convention Centre has been put on hold. Sunpeaks Resort submitted a wellpresented bid, but the size requirements of the Trade Show were a concern, which they promised to address in the future. The City of Kelowna was diligent in its bid, with the technical component of the conference proposed for the Grand Hotel, while the Trade Show would be held across the street at the Sky Reach Place. The City of Victoria’s bid has two components, with the Trade Show and Technical Sessions being held at the Victoria Trade and Convention and the Fairmount Empress acting as the Conference Hotel. The final bid was the Resort Municipality of Whistler, which is based around its enlarged and fully renovated Convention Centre.

As a Venue Selection Committee that makes recommendations to the BCWWA Board of Directors, our mandate is to determine the best site for next year’s conference and recommend suitable venues for future AGMs. Consequently, by the time we all meet in Penticton in April 2003, your Board of Directors will have made its decision for the upcoming year and we will announce the venue for 2004! Our research will also form the basis for selecting future venues for 2005, 2006 and beyond, in keeping with our commitment to serve all areas of the province. As such, our selection must carefully assess the merits of future potential venues such as the Multiplex in Victoria, the Convention Centre in Nanaimo, and Sunpeaks Resort. Stay tuned.

Yukon Chapter of BCWWA

by David Albisser, Chair

The Yukon Chapter of BCWWA is the first geographically organized branch in the Association’s history. The committee came together early in 2001, in response to a concern that there was a lack of operator training available to water system operators in rural areas of Yukon and northern most areas of BC.

Brian Crist, City of Whitehorse Public Works, Don McCallum and Greg Bull, Yukon representatives of BCWWA and EOCP respectively, shared a common vision of bringing together groups with a vested interest in water and waste, for training and professional development. A committee was formed which included members of the Government of Yukon, Canada’s Indian and Northern Affairs, the City of Whitehorse and private sector consultants.

In November 2001, the committee facilitated two offerings of the BCWWA Small Water Systems course and a local half-day mini conference focusing on northern water issues. Del Haylock, Executive Director of BCWWA, also attended the conference and gave a presentation on challenges facing the water and waste industry and the merits of the association. Momentum continued to build after the success of the training sessions and courses, with the committee becoming an official branch in January, 2002.

On November 27, 2002, the Yukon Chapter offered a full day Conference around the theme Drinking Water and Waste: Managing Risk with Best Practices. Presentations were made to an audience of 80 people on topics of legal liability, insurance and liability, well/wellhead construction and protection, and case studies on the Carcross community sewage treatment system and a First Nation water system success story. Training courses included Water Treatment Level I (taught by Alistair Ward), Small Water Systems, and Small Wastewater Systems. Leo Albrecht taught the SWS/SWWS courses and did an excellent job of adapting the Small Water Systems course to meet the needs of “trucked” water system operators, which are common in the North.

The Yukon Chapter members are Greg Bull (new Yukon Director), Dave Albisser, Brian Crist, Dave Beaudoin, Jim Slater, Niels Jacobsen, Patricia Brooks, Jonathan Kerr, Dan Cornett, and Bob Truelson. Please send any comments to david.albisser@gov.yk.ca.

Greg Bull – New Yukon Director

Greg Bull, the new Yukon Director of the BCWWA, is very well qualified for the position. He has a Bachelor Degree (Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York) and a Masters Degree (UBC) in Environmental Engineering. He has spent 28 years in the environmental engineering field—24 years in consulting and four years as INAC’s BC Regional Pollution Control Engineer. Five years ago, Greg relocated to Whitehorse from Vancouver. Since then he has been practicing environmental engineering as President of G. J. Bull & Associates Inc. Greg is enthusiastic about working with the dedicated environmental and health sector Yukon people who two years ago came together to form the Yukon Chapter of the BCWWA. Already, this group has organized several water and wastewater operator training events and technical seminars in the Yukon. Greg will represent the Yukon Chapter committee’s collective issues, ideas, and opinions to the Board of Directors. With the support of the Yukon committee members, he will bring a cold climate perspective to issues facing the Board. Greg’s well-rounded experience will be invaluable as he takes up his position. Thanks Greg!

2nd Canadian Organic Residuals Recycling Conference

Message from conference co-chairs Harlan Kelly and Jack Bryden

Penticton, BC, April 23 to 26, 2003
Penticton Lakeside Resort Convention Centre

Co-sponsored by the BC Water & Waste Association, the Ontario Water Environment Association, the Canadian Water & Wastewater Association, the Composting Council of Canada, Western Canada Water Environment Association, the Water Environment Federation, et la Québéc-Réseau Environment

Funding Acknowledgements: Environment Canada, Ministry of Health Canada, Province of British Columbia, Province of Ontario, Province of Alberta

Harlan Kelly	Jack Bryden

Penticton is proud to host the 2nd Canadian Organic Residuals Recycling Conference and Trade Show from April 23 - 26, 2003. The conference will be held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Casino on the shores of Okanagan Lake. This national conference will bring producers, managers, students, practitioners, environmentalists and regulators from across Canada to discuss the production, improvement, management, utilization and/or disposal of organic residuals including municipal biosolids, animal manures and pulp and paper sludge.

On Wednesday April 23 at 7:30 p.m. you are welcome to join us for the “Meet and Greet” at the trade show area of the Lakeside Hotel.

The Opening Ceremonies will take place on Thursday morning April 24 at 8:45 a.m. The Honorable Joyce Murray, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection for the Province of BC will provide the keynote address. The opening session will also provide an overview of Residuals Management across Canada by regulators from the federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta, and producers from the Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver and BC pulp industry.

In the accompanying Technical Program, you will see that 60 papers are to be presented on Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25. The technical portion of this conference will provide a rare opportunity to meet and hear people from across Canada involved in the forefront of organic residuals management and research. A workshop will be held on Saturday morning April 26 which includes updated information on BC’s Organic Matter Recycling Regulation and an introduction to the design of land application plans. There will also be a manufacturer’s display area on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday, April 26, will also include two concurrent bus tours leaving the Lakeside Hotel at 9:30 a.m. The City of Kelowna and Agriculture Canada are arranging the first tour. This tour includes an overview of residuals recycling research at Agriculture Canada’s Research Centre in Summerland, BC, some wine tasting and a cold lunch. The second tour is being arranged by the Greater Vancouver Regional District and travels to historic Hedley to see mine reclamation through biosolids reuse. A tailgate BBQ and a scenic tour will also be provided.

A list of unhosted activities will be available to the delegates and partners including the Casabella Princess sternwheeler rides, horseback rides, golf, studio tours of local artists, Al-Pack cloth - making tours, pottery tours, observatory near Hawthorne, walking tours, winery tours and garden tours. In addition, there is a golf tournament on Sunday with the BCWWA AGM.

We know that this national conference is essential to increase clarity in the management of Canadian organic residuals among producers, users, regulators, facility planners, managers, researchers, and the consulting, manufacturer and supplier industries. It will build on the remarkable success of our first national conference that was held in Toronto in 2000. The Penticton conference offers a rare opportunity for all those who attend to learn about the state of organic residuals management across Canada. See you there!

Conference Schedule and Registration form (PDF file, 271KB)

British Columbia Water & Waste Association 31st Annual Conference & Exhibition, Penticton, BC 2003

Message from Bill Muir, Conference Chair

Penticton is proud to host the 31st Annual BCWWA Annual Conference and Trade Show, April 27 – 30, 2003. The conference will be held at the recently upgraded Penticton Convention Centre. I know that delegates and exhibitors alike will be impressed by the improvements to the Convention Centre.

The ’50s – ’60s theme for this year’s Conference will be a nostalgic backdrop for an action-packed event. We will kick things off with a shotgun golf tournament at the Penticton Golf and Country club on Saturday, April 26, with a putting and chipping competition at noon – proceeds donated to Water for People. The tournament tee-off will follow at 1:00 p.m. All avid golfers should sign up early, as we are limited to 144 slots. On Sunday, April 27, our busy agenda will include two concurrent bus tours, leaving the Lakeside Hotel at 9:00 a.m. Tour #1 includes the Penticton Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant where staff have implemented many innovations to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency. Also, included in this tour is a visit to Penticton’s Compost Site. Tour #2 is a visit to Penticton’s Water Treatment Plant. Buses will return by noon. Sunday afternoon will feature a fun-filled locomotive train ride on the Kettle Valley Railway. Participants will enjoy a BBQ lunch plus on-train tasting of Okanagan’s finest wines! Sign up early as seats on KVR are limited; additional details are provided in the program following. Buses will depart the Lakeside Hotel at 12:30 p.m. to Summerland and the train will arrive in Penticton at 4:30 p.m.

We’ll all get together Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the ‘Meet and Greet’ at the MSC Exhibits Trade Show area in the Penticton Convention Centre. The exhibit area is another conference highlight with more than 120 suppliers and manufacturers in attendance. The exhibit area will be open on Sunday evening and most of Monday. You are encouraged to visit the displays and network with your colleagues and friends.

The Opening Ceremonies will take place on Monday at 9:00 a.m. at the Convention Centre. The Honorable Colin Hansen, Minister of Health Services has been invited to provide the keynote address and his timely message on regulatory changes to BC’s drinking water will be of interest to all conference participants. Robert Bastian, Senior Environmental Scientist with the US Environmental Protection Agency in Washington will follow with an interesting and thought provoking message on a wide range of environmental developments south of the border.

As you will see in the accompanying Technical Program, we will have the most ambitious Technical Program that has ever been presented at our Annual Conference. There will be about 80 papers presented on Monday through Wednesday covering a broad range of technical, scientific, operational and managerial topics. You will find this year’s Technical Program exciting and important in keeping up-to-date with current industry affairs.

A superb Operator’s Safety Competition will be held outside, next to the Penticton Convention Centre on Monday, April 28 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Come cheer on your favourite team.

The Conference concludes on Wednesday, April 30 with two inspiring concurrent sessions – A Source-to-Tap Watershed and Water Systems Assessments session, and an On-Site Sewage Systems Management Toolkit and Stormwater Planning Guidebook session (the following program provides details).

The Lakeside Resort and Hotel will be the site of the ’50s – ’60s theme banquet Tuesday evening and there will be a fantastic live band in attendance for your dancing and listening pleasure.

Leon Cake of the Water For People Committee will host the annual Rice Cake Race event at the Convention Centre. You are encouraged to sign up and enter the race by contacting Leon or one of the members of the Water for People Committee at the Conference. The winner will be announced at the BCWWA Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 29. The Water for People Committee will also host a Silent Auction of donated gifts. You are invited to visit their display booth in the entrance area of the Convention Centre. Your bids can be accepted on all displayed gifts and winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 30.

I know that this year’s BCWWA Annual Conference will be another great success. It offers professional development, operator training sessions, a venue to meet suppliers and manufacturers, and, of course, ample opportunity to meet your peers. Please join us in Penticton and pursue your professional development in a laid-back BC Interior setting.

BCWWA 2003 Annual Conference Program and registration form (PDF file, 785KB)