July 2007

July 31st, 2007

BCWWA’s mission statement talks about how we safeguard public health and the environment through the sharing of skills, knowledge and experience. One of the most important ways that we do this is through our training programs. In addition to the various schools that are staged all over BC we run specific courses in locations throughout the province and as far north as the Yukon.

One of the things that makes BCWWA courses different from some others is that all of our instructors are industry professionals. They all either have operated water and/or wastewater systems, or they still do. The information AND the first hand experience means that when someone takes one of our courses they are learning not just what is in the book but also what it will take to do the job – from someone who really knows.

What does it take to be an instructor? A basic knowledge, experience in the field and a commitment to make our industry even stronger. Do you have a desire to share your expertise with newcomers to the field? The fall Train the Trainer session is an excellent chance to learn more about what BCWWA instructors do, and what is expected. We will be talking about the training given to our instructors and the support that is provided by BCWWA at every stage. Call our CEO Natalie Zigarlick at 604.433.7824 to take part in this session.

BCWWA is very proud of its instructor corps – they are a talented and committed group. We invite you to join us if that description also fits you.

July 25th, 2007

There is talk in many places of wastewater recovery and reuse. The technology to do this now exists and it exists in British Columbia The realization that used water or eaux usees, as they say in French, is both usable and that it is worthwhile to do so has been realized in some places and is coming to others.

BCWWA members deal with the full spectrum of water and wastewater systems and results. That makes BCWWA unique because the association focuses on the full cycle of water management). By looking at both we have recognized the holistic nature of this industry and resource. The growing market for recycled and reclaimed water demonstrates that changed practice is the result of changes to circumstances. And because of our cooperative approach our members are somewhat ahead of the pack when you look at the challenges being faced by other jurisdictions struggling with water shortages and increased demand due to population growth.

Regulatory changes are driving water recycling and reuse in the United States. We may see something of this nature across Canada in the future. In any event, work that BCWWA does to keep our members, and others, current on training and equipment and regulations and options, means that BCWWA members will stay ahead of other jurisdictions. Membership supports the work that BCWWA does. BCWWA simply supports the work of our members.

July 18th, 2007

Wastewater, whether it is sewage or grey water, has a bad name. It has historically been characterized as ‘waste’, something to be gotten rid of as quickly and easily as possible. After all, it has no value.

But, actually it does have value and the challenge is to find the ways to realize that value. Some places this is happening already. Some places really close to home in fact. The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is spending a lot of money to enhance its sewage treatment plants by adding a co-generation facility that will convert biogas from sludge into electricity. We are used to using clean water to make electricity – the various dams around the province demonstrate that – but the not so clean water can also help to provide the power we need.

Electricity is captured from sewage in other North American treatment plants as well and the Capital Regional District (CRD) is looking to follow the RDN’s lead, as well as looking at recovery of heat and useable water from sewage as it builds future plants.

How does this affect us at BCWWA? As an association of water and wastewater professionals many of our members are on the edge of this new look at what water resource has value and how that value can be realized. Our training and networking help to share the information and the ideas. BCWWA members continue to be at the forefront of this important industry.

July 11th, 2007

BCWWA has been working hard to increase the number of training opportunities for water and wastewater operators in the Province of BC and the Yukon. As well we aim to provide increased networking and continue to share knowledge and current data with the industry professionals in BC and the Yukon.  In order to deliver this increased level of service to our members and others, we have relied on the support of several partners, including the BC Ministry of Environment. We appreciate the ongoing support that the MoE has provided and recognize that although many, many ministry people have provided assistance (and we truly appreciate that) without the leadership of people like the Deputy Minister we would have had a more difficult time achieving our aims. That being the case, it is with regret that we bid a fond adieu to the former Deputy Minister, Mr. Chris Trumpy, who has moved to a new position as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury Board, as well as CEO, Public Sector Employers Council, Ministry of Finance.

Mr. Trumpy’s history with the Ministry of Finance in tax, fiscal , social and economic policy and his experience as Deputy Minister in Finance and Corporate Relations, Deputy Minister of Provincial Revenue and Deputy Minister of Sustainable Resource Management make this move very understandable. MoE’s loss is certainly the Ministry of Finance’s gain.

While we are sad to see Mr. Trumpy leave the MoE, we are pleased to welcome the new Deputy Minister Joan Hesketh. Ms. Hesketh comes to the Ministry from her recent position as Associate Deputy Minister of the Environmental Assessment Office. In addition she has held a range of natural resource-related positions in more than two decades of government service. BCWWA looks forward to working with the new DM and our many ministry liaisons in the coming months.

July 4th, 2007

The many faces of BCWWA Membership

BCWWA is a multi-faceted organization. In addition to being a stand-alone group we are a Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and a Member Association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

At the AWWA’s Annual Conference & Exposition in Toronto last week, President-Elect Mike Nolan proudly accepted a beautiful ‘Club-Seven Growth Award’ on behalf of the BC Section.  BCWWA is one of the 43 Sections of AWWA and our membership growth, at 15%, was among the top seven sections’ growth  in North America!  The new members are now taking advantage of the many technical and training resources, industry news and events and career development benefits available through AWWA and BCWWA.

One of the best values in our industry is to become a joint member of BCWWA and one of our parent organizations AWWA or WEF.  Benefits of a joint membership are vast, including hardcopy, online and web-based resources and direct-to-your-desktop industry news.  For Operators and Students the increased reach and information is invaluable, for other professionals joint membership provides a greater level of ongoing knowledge and networking.

I challenge all members to ‘tune-up’ your membership and to spread the news:

A description of Membership benefits and forms are available online at www.awwa.org/ or www.wef.org/ under the Membership menus.  Plus, both organizations offer rewards for signing up a new member!

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