CWWA News
Robert Haller, Executive Director Moving the Window on Ottawa? Yes, we’re thinking on moving that most established November event to the springtime. And we want to know what you think! While the Window on Ottawa, CWWA’s signature event, has traditionally been held in late November, it comes just weeks after our national conferences every year. In 2013 we rushed from the National Energy and Water Efficiency Conference into the Window just four weeks later. This year our Window on Ottawa was just three weeks after our National Drinking Water Conference. Not only is this hard on staff, including me, but it is difficult for delegates and sponsors to justify two CWWA events in a month.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=297350&issueID=37482 to view the full article online.
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No, not for the school kids, but for our municipal infrastructure. We all talk a lot about the importance of asset management, infrastructure renewal, and adequate financing, but to make ‘informed’ decisions, our leaders need reliable information. As municipal services compete for limited infrastructure funding, it is critical that we in the water/wastewater sector make our case
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=297355&issueID=37482 to view the full article online.
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CWWA hosted the 16th National Conference on Drinking Water from October 26-29. The Conference was incredibly successful, attracting over 250 delegates, and featured presentations from water researchers, highlighting the innovative work being done by researchers across Canada. Sessions focused on QMRA, microbiological threats, analytical methods and research into new treatment technologies and ways of optimizing and improving existing methods.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=297011&issueID=37482 to view the full article online.
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These Awards highlight the remarkable work our members are undertaking and accomplishing in their communities. Water and wastewater utilities perform a vital service, protecting both human health and the environment, and these Awards offer peer recognition of these efforts. Look for more on these fantastic projects in our upcoming Municipal News and Review Magazine.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=297022&issueID=37482 to view the full article online.
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CWWA hosted our annual Window on Ottawa from November 19-20. This event is a cornerstone of the Association, featuring presentations from federal departments on legislative and program initiatives that impact the sector. The Window also features our Annual General Meeting, and our Fall Board of Directors meeting.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=297037&issueID=37482 to view the full article online.
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Federal Initiatives
Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Steven Blaney, tabled, October 27, 2014, Bill C-44 An Act to Amend the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act and other Acts (short title: Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act). The bill, in part, amends the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act to give greater protection to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) human resources; clarify the scope of the CSIS mandate; and confirm the jurisdiction of the Federal Court to issue warrants that have effect outside Canada
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=297053&issueID=37482 to view the full article online.
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Minister Leona Aglukkaq recently announced that the Government of Canada is making a significant funding contribution to the Green Climate Fund. Canada will provide $300 million to the Green Climate Fund, which is aimed at supporting projects, programs, policies and other activities to address climate change in developing countries. In addition, Canada is a founding member and major financial contributor to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition that is focused on marshalling global efforts to tackle short-lived climate pollutants. Canada is also advancing the development of action to address short-lived climate pollutants under its Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
Visit http://unfccc.int/cooperation_and_support/financial_mechanism/green_climate_fund/items/5869.php to view the full article online.
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Provincial News
OCE is pleased to be launching Round 2 of the Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program in partnership with key industries in both provinces. Funded by AITF and OCE, the program will leverage contributions from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and industry partners.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=297212&issueID=37482 to view the full article online.
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The Ontario government recently released its 2014 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review. The Province is working to eliminate the deficit by 2017-18. The economic plan includes investments in job creation, grants to help students and young people find employment, improving the business climate to support new and existing businesses. The most relevant for CWWA members is a commitment to invest more than $130 billion in public infrastructure over the next 10 years, including $12.8 billion in 2014-15. These investments will focus on transportation, health care and education, and are expected to support over 110,000 jobs on average each year.
Visit http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/fallstatement/2014/ to view the full article online.
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Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs announced, October 15, 2014, the release of The Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Review - Consultative Report (draft) -- a joint project between the Province of Nova Scotia and municipalities that examines the current state of municipal structure in Nova Scotia and includes recommendations for potential reforms. Topics discussed include, in part: environmental protection; waste management; drinking water treatment standards; Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act; and the integration of environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. Comments accepted until Dec.15, 2014.
Visit http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20141015003 to view the full article online.
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International News
Taking Stock-North American Pollutant Releases and Transfers 14 – released October 1, 2014 by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). This edition of the Taking Stock report provides information on pollutant releases and transfers across the region from 2005 through 2010, with an in-depth review of releases from the pulp and paper industry. The 2014 report is the first time an edition of the CEC’s Taking Stock series, which gathers data from pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs) in Canada, Mexico, and the US, has analyzed North American pollutant information over an extended timeframe.
Visit http://www3.cec.org/islandora/en/item/11581-taking-stock-vol-14-en.pdf to view the full article online.
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Snippings and Clippings
Strathmore Standard Once a common landmark in Alberta, the Gleichen water tower is now one of the few remaining municipal water towers in the province. Caught in a deteriorating state and in need of significant upgrades, Wheatland County stepped in four years ago and took on the challenging task to preserve the prominent structure, with their efforts recognized on Oct 16.
Visit http://www.strathmorestandard.com/2014/10/29/county-receives-award-for-work-with-gleichen-water-tower to view the full article online.
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Water Canada The Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant was supposed to enhance phosphorus removal when an expansion was completed in 2013. Built by the province in the 1980s and later transferred to Durham and York regions, the activated-sludge facility replaced multiple smaller, legacy systems that were discharging into local waterways and seriously impacting water quality.
Visit http://watercanada.net/2014/down-for-the-count/ to view the full article online.
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Water Canada It should come as no surprise that wastewater operators continue to be plagued by non-flushables on a daily basis. Dental floss, personal care products, paper towels, cotton swabs, and even toys are just a few of the items wreaking havoc on our treatment systems, and the damage can be clearly seen in images of blocked and clogged sewer mains
Visit http://watercanada.net/2014/i-dont-flush/ to view the full article online.
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Water Canada Ontario has approved the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Plans to strengthen local source-to-tap drinking water protection. The plans were developed by local municipal and community partners on the Trent Conservation Coalition source protection committee and will take effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Visit http://watercanada.net/2014/ontario-approves-source-protection-plans/ to view the full article online.
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Saskatoon Star Phoenix The serious flooding that affected southern Saskatchewan in 2011 and 2014 underscores the need for a co-ordinating body to help local watershed authorities and governments work together, Norm Hall says. Hall, president of the Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan, is hoping that body is the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative (ARBI).
Visit http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Flooding+demands+picture+river+basin+group/10380408/story.html to view the full article online.
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Water Canada Last month, Premier Kathleen Wynne offered Ontarians a window into an important factor in policy-making: the influence of our political leaders. For the first time in the province’s history, the premier has made public the direction she gives to her cabinet ministers.
Visit http://watercanada.net/2014/ontarios-water-mandate/ to view the full article online.
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