One of the major reasons we exist as an association is to be your advocate for the municipal water & wastewater utilities. Our focus is at the national level of course, and sometimes at an international level. We would rarely get involved at the provincial level, leaving that advocacy for the provincial/regional associations. But I’ve been invited twice recently to talk to provincial committees dealing with government affairs, and have discussed provincial policy and legislation with every one of our regional partners – learning what the priorities, how they relate to federal legislation or guidelines, and how we might work cooperatively as a federation of provincial associations. It has been interesting to see how each provincial association communicates with their provincial regulators and how they approach advocacy. As we prepare for dramatic changes to the national guidelines for lead, we will need to work with the provincial associations, to work with their provincial regulators, on exactly how the guidelines will be adopted and enforced in each jurisdiction.

We have less than a month to go before the National Water and Wastewater Conference in Newfoundland, St. John’s. If you aren’t already registered you need to plan to be there.

The National Conference of the Canadian Water and Wastewater, this event is the only one of its kind offering national dialogue on water issues

The Canadian Affairs Council of the Water Environment Federation (WEF-CAC) met on October 2nd in Chicago at WEFTEC and signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding amongst its partners. The partners include each of the five WEF Member Associations in Canada (BCWWA, Western Canada Water, WEA Ontario, Réseau Quebec and Atlantic WWC) as well as the CWWA.

The focus of the workshop will be on developing a strategic vision for Urban Water Management in Canada for the next half century. The vision will address three major topics of national interest: Climate change, Risk Management and Asset Management.

CWWA and our Water and Energy Efficiency Committee have developed a survey In order to inform the development of a municipal/utility BMP or guideline for residential higher water users.

As you are aware Dominica was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Many of the other islands such as USVI, Puerto Rico and Anguilla are still supported by The US, The Brits or the Dutch. Dominica however is not. If any of your utilities have anyone who would like to volunteer or if you have any of the equipment they need as per the email below I can co-ordinate with the people there who I know well. Normally other utilities in the region help out but there are so many islands and utilities decimated that it is very difficult.

Valerie Jenkinson, CEO World Water and Wastewater Solutions LTD (WWWS) has put out a call for volunteers. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact her directly at: jenkinsonv@gmail.com

The federal government recently announced the launch of new consultations on its proposed Oceans Protection Plan.

Water Canada

A draft water strategy has been developed based on input from stakeholders, the public and First Nations and is now available online for comment for 45 days. Once it is finalized, the provincial strategy will guide the government in further protecting and managing water.

The Prince Edward Island government is seeking public comment on a draft report on Climate Change adaptation. The report outlines 86 recommendations in 10 key sectors of Island society. The P.E.I. government has scheduled three public engagement sessions. Online feedback is open until Oct. 20.

Yukon will receive $1.7 million over four years from the Government of Canada’s Climate Change Preparedness in the North program (CCPN). The program supports climate change adaptation projects and initiatives in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and with the James Bay Cree.

Funding for Yukon will support 11 new climate change adaptation projects across a variety of sectors and communities, including permafrost studies, assessing community climate change priorities, mapping climate-related land changes in key wildlife areas, and research on climate change and traditional food security.

Get information on the performance of Ontario’s regulated drinking water systems and laboratories, drinking water test results, and enforcement activities and programs.

Equity in Water Safety Planning provides guidance on integrating equity considerations into water safety planning. WHO is seeking peer review input prior to publication by 31 December 2017. Additional supporting examples and case studies are also welcome. For more information, visit:

This document provides guidance on how climate considerations can be integrated into water safety planning to provide greater resilience to the current and predicted impacts of climate change and variability on water supplies. The guidance is supported by numerous practical examples of climate resilient water safety planning from both low and high income settings. To download the publication, visit:

ABB is a pioneering technology leader that is writing the future of industrial digitalization. For more than four decades, we have been at the forefront, innovating digitally connected and enabled industrial equipment and systems. Every day, we drive efficiency, safety and productivity in utilities, industry, transport and infrastructure globally. With a heritage spanning more than 130 years, ABB operates in more than 100 countries and employs around 136,000 people.

Water Canada

Bentley Systems Inc., a global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing infrastructure, has announced the completion of its CONNECT Edition application portfolio for design, analytical, construction, and asset performance modelling of infrastructure. The CONNECT Edition’s comprehensive modelling environment supports aligned digital workflows across applications for all project delivery disciplines, including water and wastewater.

Water Canada

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced that students from the University of Guelph and the University of Colorado – Boulder have won the 2017 Student Design Competition. The 16th annual competition took place during WEFTEC 2017, WEF’s 90th annual technical exhibition and conference.

Water Canada

Written by Todd Westcott
The way we speak about climate change is important. A recent video from the website Vox, produced by Carlos Maza and Coleman Lowndes, tackles how media coverage of extreme weather events, specifically hurricanes Harvey and Irma, creates barriers to preventative action in the form of policy and infrastructure.