2013 was a busy year for CWWA, with the Association hosting three Events, including a brand new Conference exploring water and energy, a new collaboration with the Canadian Association for Water Quality (CAWQ) culminating in the joint Central Canadian Symposium on Water Quality Research and Wastewater Management Conference, along with hosting our annual Window on Ottawa.

To Flush or Not to Flush?
You would have noticed a number of articles on the topic of so-called "flushable" wipes in the last Bulletin as there has been a flurry of news items across the country. We have to thank Barry Orr (London), Jennifer Leno (Cobourg) and the Municipal Enforcement Sewer Use Group (MESUG) for launching the information campaign and building the awareness around this issue.

Join the community of professionals who will gather at the 16th Canadian National Conference on Drinking Water in the National Capital Region from October 26 to 29, 2014.

We are very excited to launch registration for the 49th Central Canadian Symposium on Water Quality Research and Wastewater Management.

The Board of Directors of Réseau Environnement, in agreement with the Board of Directors of the Quebec Association for Energy Management (AQME) is pleased to announce the appointment of M. Jean Lacroix as Acting President and CEO of Réseau Environnement. Jean Lacroix will remain at the head of the AQME as the President and CEO. M. Lacroix will begin his new role in early February.

The Environmental Technology Trade Show (ETT) is the biennial meeting of environmental experts in Quebec organized by Réseau Environnement.

The 10th edition of ETT will gather 3,000 participants, 150 exhibitors and hundreds of speakers on topics combining sustainable development, innovation and technology. This tradeshow is the opportunity for networking, learning and sharing knowledge in 2014!

The registration and the preliminary Program are now online and available online.

The International Conference on Marine and Freshwater Environments (iMFE) 2014 will be held at the Sheraton hotel in St. John’s, Canada from August 6 to 8. This conference aims at providing a unique international forum for people from academia, industry, and government to discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in the protection and sustainable development of the marine and freshwater environments.

The focus of the event is set on fostering an integrative understanding of water and the environment, as well as probing sound engineering solutions.

The Call for Papers is currently online. Check out the list of topics, venue and much more.

On December 4, the federal cabinet issued its first Emergency Order to be made under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The emergency order restricts resource-based development on provincial land — in this case identified as habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of the Greater Sage-Grouse in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Environment Canada recently posted online a letter outlining its intention to consult on proposed amendments to federal Environmental Emergency Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Taking Stock — How the Cosmetics Industry Ranks on Toxic Chemicals was released last month by Environmental Defence, an environmental advocacy group based in Ontario.

The document provides the results of an initiative that assessed whether the five largest cosmetic companies in Canada have targets for eliminating harmful ingredients, how they are addressing concerns about chemicals in their products and ingredient disclosure on their product labels. In particular, the report looked at endocrine-disrupting chemicals in cosmetics, which may have links to endocrine-related cancers such as breast and testicular cancer.

The Trade Commissioner Service of Canada (TCS) has formed a linked in group, offering participants instant access to a worldwide network of Canadian companies interested in expanding in international markets. The TCS group is for Canadian companies interested in growing their business in international markets. Members are encouraged to share their best practices and ask questions related to international commerce. You may correspond in either English or French, Canada's two official languages.

Joining the group can help your company navigate the complexities of international markets and make better business decisions.

The National Cyber Security Branch (NCSB) is looking to establish a joint information sharing initiative under the existing portal within the Public Safety infrastructure. The idea is to bring together a Canadian community of experts related to ICS security ranging from academic to industry to government, share information with said community, and stimulate the needed conversations to advance security thinking for this field.

Ontario Regulation 332/12 Building Code, pursuant to the Building Code Act, 1992, published in the November 17, 2012 edition of The Ontario Gazette will help to ensure safety in workplaces, parking garages, retail stores, restaurants, theatres, and homes; and includes, among other things, increased energy and water conservation standards. The majority of the new code took effect January 1, 2014; however, some energy efficiency provisions come into effect January 1, 2015 and 2017, and certain changes related to on-site sewage systems will take effect December 31, 2016.

A new Regulation respecting municipal wastewater treatment under Quebec’s Environmental Quality Act has been passed by Order in Council and published in the December 27, 2013 edition of Gazette officielle du Quebec.

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently ruled on the Detlor v Brantford (City) case. The case involved opposition to a bylaw that the City passed to restrict activities of an aboriginal group who were protesting construction on private land.

Associate-Private Sector Member
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (Westbrook, Maine)

Associate – Academic & Other Member
British Consulate General (Vancouver, BC)

EPCOR is in the business of wires and water. We build, own and operate electrical transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure.

Osprey Scientific Inc. has been supplying measurement technologies throughout Canada, since 1994, with offices in both Edmonton, Alberta and Mississauga, Ontario. Our team is made up of technically trained individuals who have a combined experience in chemical laboratory, engineering and instrumentation who are able to provide our customers with product knowledge, support and training.

Fast Company
On a Monday evening back last May, at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Lake Street in San Francisco's Richmond district, the earth opened up. A giant sinkhole — about 20 feet across and nearly 10 feet deep — suddenly gaped in the middle of the road. But the culprit wasn't an earthquake or a creature from the deep. It was just an ancient sewer line, finally giving way after more than a century of decay.

The London Free Press
London may soon become a leader in North America in wastewater technology, city council’s civic works committee was told recently.

Chad Moore just wanted a cigarette.
Nearly 48 hours had passed since Moore and a colleague dutifully chose to stay inside High River’s water treatment plant after the June 20 flash flood tore through the southern Alberta town.

The Globe and Mail
The warm water being flushed down Canada’s sewers could become a huge source of recycled energy.

Calgary Herald
Increasing city fees mean that flushing your toilet will cost you 13.5 per cent more in 2014.

Edmonton Journal
Derek Melmoth’s crews have found the weirdest things in the sewage system — hypodermic needles, beach towels, work gloves, bedsheets, batteries, rubber duckies — all flushed down Edmonton toilets, either on purpose or by accident.

The Leader-Post
Looking back on his first year as mayor of Regina, Michael Fougere expressed satisfaction with the progress made in fixing the city's roads, winning the referendum battle on the sewage treatment plant, settling a long-standing dispute with the RM of Sherwood and hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders' first Grey Cup victory at home.

Times Colonist
Summary Snowpack levels that feed into Nanaimo's Jump Lake fresh water reservoir are significantly down from last year, but officials are not yet overly concerned.

National Post
An explosion at a wastewater treatment plant early on Tuesday has been contained.

Herald News
Recent heavy snow and rain made fracking waste water spill over from holding ponds near Kennetcook this week, though what that means for the surrounding land is still unclear.

Digital Journal
Charlottetown residents will soon benefit from a much needed additional municipal drinking water supply, thanks to joint federal and provincial funding announced today by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, the Honourable Gail Shea; Prince Edward Island Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister, Robert Vessey; and Charlottetown Mayor, Clifford Lee.

Financial Post
Canadian insurance companies paid a record $3.2 billion to claimants last year as the country coped with weather-related disasters, an industry group said.