Canadian Water and Wastewater Association eBulletin

CWWA News

Water Haller: Walkerton & Flint Are Related...But Not To Infrastructure

A recent Toronto Star editorial (attached) spoke to the water crisis in Walkerton in 2000 and the recent crisis in Flint. But the article made some illogical connections to our infrastructure challenges. Worse, the editorial made very inappropriate suggestions that the health of our communities are at imminent risk due to these infrastructure challenges – trying to create fear in the readers of "water-borne perils." I appreciate that the Star is reporting on water and recognizes the challenges we face with infrastructure, asset management and financing, but they are using the wrong examples and creating the wrong fears.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380460&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

Letter to the editor, Toronto Star Re: Water safety mismanagement could mean another Walkerton: Cohn. Studying a tragedy to death won’t safeguard our drinking water, nor save lives, without political will

We support a rigorous dialogue about the sustainability of water infrastructure, but the message of Cohn’s article "Water safety mismanagement could mean another Walkerton" leaves readers with the incorrect and misleading impression that Ontario’s drinking water is unsafe. We may take for granted its availability and low cost. But we have high expectations for its quality, and municipalities across Canada consistently meet this expectation.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380466&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

2016 Window on Ottawa - just weeks left to register

CWWA’s Window on Ottawa is just a few weeks away, and we want to make sure you're planning to attend.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380302&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

National Water and Wastewater Conference - still seeking speakers on priority topics

The Call for Presentation Proposals for the National Water and Wastewater Conference is closed, and we've got lots of quality abstracts to build a fantastic program.

There are a few priority topics our Committees have identified as being timely and important that we’d like to expand on.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380193&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

National Water and Wastewater Conference - Registration and Sponsorship/Exhibitor Opportunities Now Available

This is the second time CWWA and our organizing partner the Canadian Association on Water Quality have teamed to host the National Water and Wastewater Conference. It builds on our enormous success in Whistler in 2015.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380189&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

National News

2016-2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

The Federal Government is consulting on the 2016-2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy until June 24, 2016. This Strategy lays out the federal government’s environmental sustainability agenda including the goals and targets they will strive to meet, and plans to achieve them.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380195&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

NPRI – Changes to Cobalt Threshold and New Reporting on Contextual Information

Environment and Climate Change Canada will be collecting more contextual information on releases to water by adding the reporting of non-detect and concentration values to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) for the 2016 reporting year. The change is intended to improve the understandability of NPRI data on water releases by providing more contextual information, to address comments raised by data users during the NPRI Data Users’ Workshop in 2013 and by other data users within Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The Reporting Guidance for the NPRI states that "An indication that a reportable substance is below the method detection limit (MDL) is not equivalent to stating that the substance is not present."

Therefore, if it is known that a substance is a concentration equivalent to half of the MDL should be used. It does state that if all samples are negative and there is no reason to believe the substance is present no value is required.

The contextual information will clarify how a concentration is reached – for example if it was an actual measurement, based on an emission factor or half the MDL. This would provide context for those interpreting the results, which theoretically would clarify the reliability of the data reported.

Enviornment Canada has shared with CWWA a draft of what the reporting will look like, and we are consulting with our Wastewater Committee and will submit comments on the proposal.

Environment Canada will also reduce the reporting threshold for Cobalt for the 2016 reporting year. The reporting threshold will be reduced to a 50 kg manufacture, process or other use threshold, and 0.1% concentration threshold, commencing with the 2016 reporting year – it was previously included at the standard 10 tonne threshold.

As cobalt is often processed through the wastewater treatment facility and ultimately discharged in either biosolids or effluent some facilities may be required to begin to report on cobalt.

New Directive to Provide More Information on Dangerous Goods Shipped Through Canadian Cities

A new federal "protective direction" will require railway operators to provide more data on the shipments of dangerous goods that travel through Canadian cities. Protective Direction 36, which came into effect on April 28, calls for railways to share more information with municipalities and first responders to help them with emergency planning and risk assessment. The information provided to municipalities will also be available to the general public through Canada’s Open Government
Portal website

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380266&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

Government of Canada Launches Interactive Website on Clean Growth and Climate Change

The Government of Canada has announced the launch of a new interactive website to seek input from Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, on how to address climate change and promote clean growth.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380272&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

Provincial News

Ontario: Province Relaxes Approvals For Routine Water-Taking

On April 16, 2016, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) passed a regulation to ease or remove the requirement for permits to take water (PTTW) for certain routine water takings which do not pose a significant environmental risk.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380226&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

Alberta: Directive Alerts Thermal In Situ Approval Holders About Dangers Of Increased Levels Of Arsenic In Groundwater

Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) recently issued a new directive requiring companies to assess the impact of increased arsenic levels in groundwater in or around thermal in situ oil sands. Innocuously titled "Draft directive for the assessment of thermally-mobilized constituents in groundwater for thermal in situ operations,"

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380228&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

CWWA Member Profiles

New Member: Bentley Systems Inc.

Bentley's EADOC is a cloud-based, construction project management system that integrates cost management, risk management and document management within an automated workflow. The system gives Construction Managers and Facility Owners real-time visibility into risks and costs and enables them to proactively control project finances including contracts, risk items, budget, funding sources, pay estimates, change requests, and change orders. EADOC's Finance Module allows cost and risk management at the Program and Portfolio level. The easy-to-use system improves collaboration and connects the entire project team, so all project data and communications are captured at the source providing one single repository for all project data. Construction teams complete projects faster by having 24/7 access to project data including RFIs, submittals, design clarifications, inspector reports, schedules and much more. Please visit the EADOC web site for additional data at http://eadocsoftware.com/. Or call your local representative Vanessa Kane at (610) 458-2859 vanessa.kane@bentley.com to schedule an on-line demo.

Visit http://eadocsoftware.com/ to view the full article online.

New Member: Municipality of East Hants

Home to the world's highest recorded tides, the Municipality of East Hants is a thriving municipal district in Nova Scotia between Halifax & Bay of Fundy.

This division staffs the functions of both the East Hants Water Utility and Wastewater Treatment operations. Overall, this involves the operation of two Water Treatment Plants, an Engineered Spring, a Bulk Water Station, and three Wastewater Treatment Plants.

In addition to the operating sites, there are a number of supporting pieces of infrastructure that are managed by this division which include, 4 Water Towers, 28 Lift Stations, 349 Fire Hydrants, and an extensive underground piping network.

Visit https://www.easthants.ca/ to view the full article online.

New Member: Environmental Operators Certification Program

The EOCP evolved in British Columbia from a handful of wastewater treatment plant operators who began the Program in 1966. Since then, the Program has grown along with similar programs throughout North America to include over 3,500 British Columbia and Yukon operators of: water distribution (WD), water treatment (WT), wastewater collection (WWC), municipal wastewater treatment (MWWT), industrial wastewater treatment, (IWWT), small water systems (SWS), and small wastewater systems (SWWS).

The EOCP's objective is to protect human health, the environment, and the investment in facilities through increased knowledge, skill and proficiency of the members of the Program in all matters relating to water treatment and distribution and wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380353&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

New Member: FluksAqua

We're all connected by water!

FluksAqua is an innovative online community created by a dedicated group of water and wastewater operators for their peers, people like you. FluksAqua connects you with colleagues from your region and all over the world.

FluksAqua facilitates a constant and interactive flow of information between operators, professionals, and members alike who work together to innovate and create new approaches to solve our issues, big or small.

We are creating a global network of water and wastewater management specialists, technicians and engineers to promote awareness, sustain change, and increase knowledge about water and wastewater management.

Visit https://www.fluksaqua.com/en/ to view the full article online.

New Member: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=380383&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

Snippings and Clippings

Climate change top threat to fresh water in Canada: survey says

Ground Water
Twenty-one per cent of Canadians polled rank climate change as the number 1 threat to Canada's fresh water supply, up significantly from 2010 when just seven per cent rated climate change a top concern, a survey released by RBC suggests

Visit http://www.groundwatercanada.com/news/climate-change-top-threat-to-fresh-water-in-canada-survey-3248#sthash.GzyVK58a.dpuf?custnum=22214639702&title=&utm_source=E912&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=160519N to view the full article online.

The Case for Federal Investments in Water Innovation and Technology

Water Canada
The federal government delivered its 2016 budget on World Water Day. Tabled on March 22, 2016, it included welcome water-related commitments, including funding to rebuild freshwater science capacity, address Great Lakes phosphorus loadings, and ensure clean drinking water in indigenous communities. However, the main focus was on infrastructure.

Visit http://watercanada.net/2016/the-case-for-federal-investments-in-water-innovation-and-technology/ to view the full article online.

Guelph Releases Draft Water Efficiency Strategy

Water Canada
The City of Guelph has released its new, draft Water Efficiency Strategy and is inviting the public review and provide feedback. Since May 2015, the municipality has been engaging the public to provide input into what the water efficiency programs that have been most effective and new ideas to be even more aggressive in water efficiency and conservation. Water conservation has been an integral part of water management within the City of Guelph for almost 20 years.

Visit http://watercanada.net/2016/guelph-releases-draft-water-efficiency-strategy/ to view the full article online.

New Economic Benefits Analysis of Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds Reveals Billions in Return on Federal Investment

WEF
A new economic benefits analysis of the impacts of increased funding for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), released today by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the WateReuse Association, has revealed that a requested $34.7 billion of federal SRF spending will generate $102.7 billion in total economic input and create more than 500,000 U.S. jobs.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/cww-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=379763&issueID=40426 to view the full article online.

Ottawa's 20-year water plan to tackle 'complex problem'

CBC
The City of Ottawa is laying out a 20-year plan to protect waterways, aquifers and wetlands — everything from making sure new development doesn't lead to erosion to working with landowners about the runoff from their properties.

Visit http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-water-strategy-environment-committee-1.3581512 to view the full article online.

Vancouver teen engineers bacteria to win top prize at biggest school contest

680 News
A Vancouver student who won the top prize at the world’s largest high school competition says four years of doing experiments taught him that patience and passion are keys to success.

Austin Wang, 18, won a US$75,000 award for engineering genetically modified E. coli bacteria that speeds up the process of converting organic waste into electricity.

Visit http://www.680news.com/2016/05/16/vancouver-teen-engineers-bacteria-to-win-top-prize-at-biggest-school-contest/ to view the full article online.

UBC helps smaller utilities up water infrastructure game

Journal of Commerce
Two researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have developed a tool that will help the province's utilities in small and medium-sized communities prioritize water system construction and rehabilitation projects.

Visit http://journalofcommerce.com/Infrastructure/News/2016/5/UBC-helps-smaller-utilities-up-water-infrastructure-game-1015466W/ to view the full article online.