2019 Window on Ottawa - event recap
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
CWWA hosted our Annual Window on Ottawa – June 3-4, 2019.
The event featured a number of incredibly interesting presentations. A panel discussion on lead highlighted the challenges in implementing the new lowered federal guideline on lead in drinking water. While utilities are committed to achieving the lowest levels possible, there are real challenges in incentivizing homeowners to replace their service lines, the impacts of increased corrosion control on wastewater treatment. There was also discussion of how individual provinces are applying the new lower MAC, and sampling protocols and how this will change implementation across the country. Health Canada also updated on their work in developing other drinking water guidelines. There have been changes to the process for identifying and developing these guidelines, along with making the process more transparent. Finally Health Canada presented on the CNPHI - Drinking Water Advisories Application (DWA), which is a tool supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada to compile information on drinking water advisories.
The Window featured a very interesting session examining flood risk mapping – both how these maps are developed, interpreted, and what utilities, and municipalities as a whole can address the increased risk of flooding due to climate change.
On Day 2 of the Window we heard from the Assembly of First Nations and RESEAU Centre for Mobilizing Innovation on the challenges facing indigenous communities water and wastewater systems including ongoing issues with federal regulation, financing systems, servicing remote communities and building capacity within indigenous communities to manage their own systems.
We also had speakers who addressed building smart energy communities, cyber and physical security and updates from the FCM on their programs and funding opportunities.
All the presentations from this year’s Window on Ottawa are posted to CWWA’s website. Normally we restrict access to just delegates, but this year we’re excited to share it with all CWWA contacts. The Window is often cited as one of the most valuable events our delegates attend, and we want to encourage our members to attend in the future, as we are starting to look at alternatives for attendance.
Visit: http://cwwa.ca/windowonottawa2019_presentations_e.asp to view the presentations.
