Working on our primary goals:

Over the past few years you have heard a lot from me about how CWWA is reorganizing our finances or staff or our events strategy, but the reason we exist is to represent you, the water/wastewater utility sector in Ottawa. We have never forgotten that role, but just haven’t shared our efforts with you as much.

My family has learned not to expect me around much in May through June or September through mid-November.

I have already enjoyed a great WEAO Conference in Ottawa and the OWWA Conference in Niagara Falls. Out to Winnipeg for the WEFMAX session and a meeting of the WEF Canadian Affairs Council that works to maximize WEF’s services to Canadian members.

Large-scale pumping system uses an extensive amount of energy. One of the keys to cut energy cost is to achieve energy efficient operation. Operators often need to make an instant decision to select the most efficient pump schedule while meeting the flow and pressure requirements. Without proper guidance and technical support, the operating efficiency will be an ad-hoc practice.

CWWA and our Water and Energy Efficiency Committee has completed a survey to gain a better understanding of our members practices around pump efficiency. The survey results are posted to the CWWA website.

The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) has commissioned a study about resiliency in water utilities. We have asked Dalhousie University to conduct an online questionnaire survey about attitudes and perceptions about risk resilience and security at water utilities.

CWWA has been very busy planning for our 2017 Events, and we want to update you on the latest on our Annual Window on Ottawa and the National Water and Wastewater Conference.

Kevin Wong was recently presented with the 15th Archie Watt - Industry Sector Award at the annual Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) Meetings in Alliston, ON.

The award was presented by the OGWA in recognition of Kevin's contributions and ongoing work in sustaining ground water resources. A keeper plaque is presented to the industry recipient and the large trophy is kept on permanent display at Fleming College.

Since being passed to IWA Publishing from the Canadian Association on Water Quality (CAWQ) five years ago, the Water Quality Research Journal of Canada has grown in reach and renown. This has been evidenced by higher submission numbers and a growing impact factor, as well as an increasingly international scope in its content. To reflect the growth in this publication's reach and inclusiveness, the editorial team have decided to rename it the Water Quality Research Journal.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is proposing to modify National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) reporting requirements so that users will be able to better understand why reported quantities of NPRI substances change over time. The proposed changes are intended to address comments raised by NPRI data users, as well as streamline the quality control process performed by NPRI staff.

In the January 2017 issue of the Bulletin CWWA reported that the Chemical Management Plan was being expanded to request information on 1500 new substances. While we haven’t heard from any members that they are being captured by the requirements, we still encourage members to review the list and make reports as needed.

CSA is poised to release a new edition of its standard covering polymeric subsurface stormwater management structures and accessories used in the collection, detention, retention, and infiltration of stormwater runoff. CSA Group has also released a draft edition of Product Category Rules for North American Market Pulp, and Paperboard Products, Tissue, and Containerboard. Review end date for the latter is May 18, 2017.

Water Canada Magazine. Article by Lapo Calamai

When Water Canada published a story on the top seven water stories for 2016, the authors highlighted the federal government’s commitment to new funds for water infrastructure, as well as research suggesting that Canadian governments and homeowners are not adequately prepared for the flooding caused by climate change. While progress has been made, there is still work to do to prepare the country for the increase in water-related disasters.

On December 2, 2016, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change posted a proposal for a guidance document outlining new requirements for bottled water Permit to Take Water (PTTW) renewals. There are two types of new requirements – procedural requirements, which would increase consultation, public reporting and transparency, and technical requirements that would enhance the scientific requirements.

Ontario’s Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science is challenging local and international companies to develop the next generation of transformative clean technologies to help fight climate change. The Solutions 2030 Challenge encourages companies to develop breakthrough technologies that will help Ontario’s industrial plants reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible teams can apply through the Solutions 2030 online application portal by September 22, 2017.

BC Environment Minister Mary Polak, and Yukon Environment Minister, Pauline Frost, signed in April 2017, a bilateral water management agreement pledging to co-operatively manage shared water in the Mackenzie River Basin, specifically the Liard River and its tributaries. Through the British Columbia-Yukon Bilateral Water Management Agreement, both governments are committing to protecting the aquatic ecosystem health within the basin - as well as the interests of citizens and First Nations.

Business Insider Australia

Is it worth paying more for "premium" bottled water?

That’s the question that analysts at Bernstein set out to answer this week. The trend for "clean living" has seen bottled water become one of the fastest growing parts of the beverage market in recent years, with sales of bottled water in the US growing 5.8% between 2015 and 2016. "Premium" water is the fastest segment, growing a huge 9.1% last year.

Browse our calendar of member and partner events.

CBC.ca
More than 15 years after an E. coli outbreak in Walkerton's drinking water killed seven people, the City of Greater Sudbury is moving forward with plans to strengthen the protection of its own municipal system. Under the proposed bylaw, property plumbing systems will be examined to ensure wastewater doesn't end up in drinking water.

Water Online

A former office manager at a rural water utility in New Mexico allegedly stole almost a million dollars from her ex-employer, state officials say.

Water Canada

While water is tangible and relevant in our day to day lives, for most, climate change is an abstract and invisible phenomenon. To communicate and engage the public effectively requires a strategic approach. Here are three tips on how to motivate people:

Water Online

A recent study made headlines with the conclusion that more than one third (35.6 percent) of U.S. households will find their water bills have grown unaffordable over the next five years if rates rise at projected levels. This will nearly triple the number of households that currently cannot afford water services, per the study.

Water Online

It’s long been thought that the presence of iron in drinking water is a cosmetic problem rather than a public health concern. But some scientists are now saying that while the iron itself might not be hazardous to your health, what it does to your drinking water is.

Water Online

The practice of direct potable reuse (DPR), that of treating wastewater and providing it straight to consumers as drinking water with no environmental buffer, has always stoked a two-sided debate.