A goal for 2018 is to feature updates from our Technical Committees. Our Committees are the backbone of the Association – providing technical expertise, telling us what the on-the-ground impacts of federal legislation are and helping us shape the technical program for our Events. Many Committees also complete additional projects that help further the Industry.

 

The Water and Energy Efficiency Committee is incredibly active and is doing some great work to further the understanding of energy and water efficiency and their interrelationship. In addition, the committee works to provide Best Management Practices for water and energy managers in Canada.

In 2017 the Committee completed three projects:

• Residential High Water User (RHWU) Research (final results are still being compiled)
• Water sub-metering policy survey: presence and outcome
• Large scale pump optimization survey – the results of this survey were even featured in ESE magazine. https://esemag.com/featured/survey-of-large-scale-pumping-system-optimization-practices/

The Committee has already met to discuss priorities for 2018. They are looking at several projects which we could support financially, and have begun prioritizing topics for upcoming position statements.  The Committee has begun brainstorming content for the 2018 National Water and Wastewater Committee and we look forward to some really strong energy and water efficiency sessions.

One of the most significant work items currently underway is the development of an Issues Analysis Paper on Food Waste Grinders (FWG). This has been a collaborative process, engaging members of our wastewater committee and biosolids experts. This paper will be an excellent resource for utilities, providing an analysis of  the technical challenges of widespread use of food waste grinders with consideration to local context. Since decisions about the use of FWGs is highly influenced by municipality specific circumstances the paper will not provide final recommendations, but will be an excellent resource for decision making across the country. 

A new feature of our meetings is a roundtable where Committee members update on initiatives and projects in their organizations. This has proved exceptionally valuable as it provides a forum to exchange ideas and learn about some really innovative work our members are doing.

 

Join We always welcome new members, we’re especially seeking members with a specialty or interest in energy conservation and efficiency, and members from Atlantic Canada. Meet our Committee

 

Aaron Boulton-Chaykowski, City of Calgary

Jennifer Bailey, City of Vancouver

Qing Zhang, EPCOR

Bill Chihata, Regional Municipality of York

Mary Ann Dickinson, Alliance for Water Efficiency

T. Duncan Ellison, Cheffell Associates

Jennifer Gilks, City of Guelph

Steve Gombos, Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Brent Houle, City of Winnipeg

Bryan Karney, University of Toronto

Jeffrey Knapp, Halifax Water

Nancy Kodousek, Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Morris Liu, City of Calgary

Johann Manente, Region of Peel

Kathy McAlpine-Sims, Regional Municipality of Halton

Kevin Reilly, H2O Innovation

Carol Salisbury, Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change

Kirk Stinchcombe, Econics

Sarah Wolfe, University of Waterloo

Gary Wong, OSIsoft

Samir Yammine, City of Saint John

Heather Zarski, EPCOR Water Services Inc.

Tanji Zumpano, Regional District of Central Kootenay